Chuka OCS, Joseph Kinyua, was hacked to death by unknown people on Wednesday, as he was investigating the murder of Chief Japhet Majau of Kamaindi Location in Tharaka Nithi County.
The mob also killed one of two officers who had accompanied the police commander for a visit at the scene of the crime.
The local administrator had been butchered and set ablaze on Tuesday evening by residents who were angered by his brother.
The chief’s brother, Gikware Mukengu, had detained some goats belonging to a resident, Gitonga Kibuibe, who went missing in December 2018.
His decomposed body was found in the nearby River Thuci three weeks ago.
The irate mob accused Mukengu of being behind the disappearance and eventual death of Gitonga.
Residents had unsuccessfully tried to get back the goats that had been seized. When they reported the case to the Deputy Commissioner, he told them that the chief would handle the matter.
It is then that the residents got angry and went to Mukengu's house with the aim of lynching him. However, he managed to escape.
The chief then arrived at the scene and immediately, the villagers slashed him using pangas and later set his body on fire.
So far three suspects have been arrested in connection to the chief's murder.
