When Bob Ochieng, a well-known butcher at the Sikwadhi Trading Centre in Ndhiwa, Homa Bay County, came across what looked like a golden opportunity with high returns, he didn't hesitate to take it.
Earlier this week, Ochieng was approached by a local farmer who was desperate to sell his injured cow at a throwaway price.
The farmer, seeing no alternative after the animal broke a leg and was at risk of starvation as it could no longer graze with the rest of the herd, decided to sell the cow to a butcher for slaughter.
To Ochieng, it seemed like the perfect deal. But tragically, it was to be the last transaction of his life.
According to Ndhiwa Sub-county Police Commander John Losia, the farmer and Ochieng agreed that the butcher would collect the animal, slaughter it and then pay him from the sale of the meat.
To facilitate the transport, Ochieng hired a Toyota Probox, a vehicle commonly used for such errands, driven by Kevin Odero.
On Wednesday afternoon, Ochieng, Odero and a third man set out to collect the cow. Heavy rains had made the village roads almost impassable, and by the time they reached the area around 5pm, they couldn't make it all the way to the farmer's homestead.
The farmer brought the cow to the side of the road, where the group loaded it into the boot of the car and began their return journey.
Not far from the village, their car tyre got a puncture and they had no spare tyre.
One of the men left on foot with the damaged tyre to find a repair shop, but due to the poor roads and bad weather, he returned after 9pm.
Tensions quickly escalated when the three failed to convince the villagers of their legitimacy. Word of livestock theft spread fast and furiously.
“Some residents accused the men of stealing the cow,” said Mr Losia. “They were not given a chance to explain.”
Armed with machetes, the villagers assaulted the men, fatally wounding Ochieng and Odero, while the third man managed to escape into a nearby sugarcane plantation.
Police were alerted by concerned locals, and a team rushed to the scene. But it was too late.
“We found the two men with severe injuries. Despite our efforts to save them, they succumbed to their wounds before reaching the hospital,” Mr Losia confirmed.
The following morning, the survivor reported to Ndhiwa Police Station, visibly shaken. He gave a full account of the incident.
Later, the farmer who had sold the cow also came forward and confirmed the details of the transaction.
The police commander condemned the mob justice, calling it a tragic.
“They should have been given a chance to speak. If the villagers had listened, the men would still be alive,” Mr Losia said. “Taking the law into your own hands is not justice; it is a crime.”
The bodies of the two men were taken to the mortuary at the Homa Bay County Teaching and Referral Hospital.
