The man was being transported to Kapenguria from the station where he had been detained when the angry mob stormed the police post.
The group then pulled the suspect from the police and killed him.
Police are being blamed for the incident but have explained they were overwhelmed.
An investigation is ongoing.
“An irate mob numbering about 700 which had regrouped around the post forcefully pulled the suspect as he was boarding the station motor vehicle registration number Toyota Land Cruiser.”
“They immediately started beating him up using stones and pieces of wood until he died about 100 meters away from the post,” Kapenguria Officer Commanding Police Division [OCPD] Kipkoech Kirui said.
The efforts by the police to control the crowd were futile.
“The police tried to restrain them but the public overpowered the police. In the process, three policemen were injured.“
He further asked the locals to avoid taking matters into their hands and instead leave them to the concerned authorities.
“In case of any suspect just report to the police. Let’s cooperate because we are trying to end theft,” he said.
The man is said to be a notorious criminal believed to be among the gang stealing motorbikes and killing people in the town.
The body was moved to Kapenguria County referral hospital mortuary pending a postmortem.
