Three women accused of stealing from a local supermarket escaped death by a whisker after they were rescued by police from a mob that was baying for their blood.
The suspects, who are believed to have travelled from Webuye in Bungoma County, were reportedly caught shoplifting in Talaymatt Supermarket located in Makutano town in Kapenguria, West Pokot County.
In what seemed to be a well-coordinated approach, one lady kept watch as the other two picked items from the shelves.
Their mission, however, failed after a lady operating in the same supermarket noticed them after seeing one of them trying to hide a 5 kg cooking oil.
Security personnel at the supermarket apprehended the women as they attempted to escape from the scene of crime. One woman was able to escape after sensing the danger. The other two women are being held at Kapenguria Police Station.
Between legs
The two, in their mid-twenties, are said to have concealed the stolen goods between their legs in their long flowing skirts within seconds of taking them off the shelves.
Speaking to the press, residents criticized the action saying it was a shame for women to engage in such theft.
Meshack Kakuko, a resident of Kapenguria, said the ladies might have been desperate to provide for their families given that they were determined to steal food items.
“It is a taboo to hide food in private parts and it needs cleansing. This is a bad picture to our women who are not used to such acts,” he said.
“It seems some people can’t resist the urge to steal,” one resident noted.
“I’d advocate for people to do manual jobs in order to cater for their basic needs,” another resident stated.
Flomena Chemtai, a business lady, asked women to have respect and work hard in life.
“We have never seen such a scenario in West Pokot where women steal goods and hide between their legs,” she said.
One of the suspects who introduced herself as Christine Mbone Musimbi said they were going for a funeral in West Pokot.
“I was given oil by my friend to hide,” she said.
According to the West Pokot County Police Commandant Isah Mohammed, the police have already launched investigations into the matter.
