Three students from Nyamira County are nursing injuries after they were allegedly assaulted over separate M-Pesa fraud incidents, raising serious concerns about the dangers of mob justice and the need for suspects to be handed over to the police instead of being subjected to violence.
According to accounts shared by the victims and their families, the three students were allegedly mistaken for, or linked to, M-Pesa fraudsters and were severely beaten before they could fully explain what had happened.
The first victim, Benardo Mogusu, a pupil at Omosobwa Primary School, said his ordeal began on Friday at around 11:00 a.m. He alleges that he was unexpectedly taken out of school without being told where he was being taken. Moments later, he reportedly found himself surrounded by people who accused him of involvement in an M-Pesa scam.
Benardo says he was never given a chance to explain his side of the story. Instead, he claims he was beaten mercilessly, leaving him injured and traumatised.
“I was not even allowed to speak,” he reportedly said, adding that the experience left him fearing for his life.
The second victim, Nicodemus, a pupil at Emesa AIC Primary School, also narrated a painful experience. According to his account, he had been approached by individuals who allegedly claimed to have sent money to his phone by mistake. Unsure whether the claim was genuine, he reportedly decided to seek clarification from an M-Pesa agent.
However, before the situation could be resolved, Nicodemus alleges that he was accused of being part of the fraud. He claims he was tied up by his hands and legs and beaten by members of the public, despite trying to explain that he was also confused about the transaction.
The third victim, Cliff Mogusu, a student at Emesa Secondary School, said he had just received money he had earned through casual work when he received a phone call from unknown people. The callers allegedly claimed that they had mistakenly sent money to his M-Pesa account and asked him to return it immediately.
Believing the request was genuine, Cliff reportedly sent the money back. Shortly afterwards, he became suspicious and rushed to a nearby M-Pesa shop to inquire whether he could recover the funds. Instead of receiving assistance, he alleges that he was accused of participating in the scam. He claims he was tied with ropes and assaulted before the matter could be properly investigated.
The incidents have sparked widespread concern among residents, with many questioning why violence is increasingly being used instead of allowing law enforcement officers to investigate allegations.
Cases of M-Pesa fraud have become more common in recent years, with scammers often using deceptive phone calls and false claims about mistaken transactions to trick unsuspecting victims. Authorities have repeatedly advised the public never to send money back based solely on a phone call or text message and to first confirm the transaction with Safaricom or an authorised M-Pesa agent.
If someone is suspected of committing a crime, the proper course of action is to report the matter to the police. Taking the law into one’s own hands can result in innocent people being harmed and may itself constitute a criminal offence.
The three students are now recovering from their injuries as their families seek justice and call for investigations into the alleged assaults.
public reactions
Mary Kemunto: “If these reports are true, this is heartbreaking. Every suspect deserves a fair hearing before any action is taken.”
Peter Ochieng’: “Mob justice is never the answer. Let the police investigate and establish the truth.”
Faith Moraa: “These are students. It is painful to imagine what they have gone through. I wish them a quick recovery.”
James Nyabuto: “Scammers should face the law, but innocent people should never be beaten because of suspicion. We must let justice take its course.”
