Transport was halted in the bustling Kanyariri shopping centre along Muthatari-Siakago road in Embu county as enraged residents barricaded the road after receiving a tip off that three suspects who had allegedly stolen three cows and arrested were being ferried to Siakago Police station through that road.
The incident, which unfolded at the heart of shopping centre, saw tensions escalate as locals demanded custody of the accused to identify them personally.
The locals said they wanted to intercept the vehicle ferrying the suspects so that they can have a glare of whom they were.
According to eyewitnesses, the suspects were nabbed by law enforcement officers along Embu-Makutano road in Kirinyaga county in a swift operation following reports of stolen livestock in Kanyariri.
However, upon learning of the arrests, a group of irate residents barricaded the path of the police vehicle and refused to allow it to proceed. They also lit bonefire.
"The community has had enough of these thefts plaguing our livelihoods. We demand justice, and that starts with us identifying the culprits ourselves." said one of the residents.
Efforts by law enforcement officials to calm the situation proved futile as tensions continued to rise.
With emotions running high, negotiations between the authorities and the locals to unblock the road almost reached an impasse, further exacerbating the standoff.
As dusk descended on the shopping centre the situation remained unresolved, with both sides unwilling to concede ground.
Police had no option but to lobe teargas cannisters to disperse the angry residents who demanded to see the suspects.
The authorities managed to use an alternative route to save the suspects from the eyes of the locals who were baying for their blood .
STORY By MWINGI TIMES CORRESPONDENT
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