To some, Martin Mwangi was believed to be a God-fearing person since he was a dedicated churchgoer, earning the nickname ‘Bishop’.

But to others, Mwangi was a notorious criminal who was on the police most-wanted list.

The man who hailed from Kabati in Murang'a County was lynched by boda boda riders when he ran over one of their colleagues and killed his female passenger as he reportedly sped off after committing a violent robbery at Gatunduri village in Embu County.

He was burnt beyond recognition even before the police, who were pursuing him, could catch up with the suspect.

According to Embu West police boss Vincent Kitili, on August 21, 2026, Mwangi allegedly raided an M-Pesa shop in the Gatunduri area and made off with Sh90, 000 belonging to a local trader.

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He sped off, and law enforcers were in hot pursuit.

On arrival in Embu town, he crashed into a boda boda rider who was carrying a female passenger. The passenger is said to have succumbed to her injuries on the spot, while the rider survived and was rushed to hospital for treatment.

After the fatal accident, Mwangi tried to flee, but there was a major traffic jam caused by parents and residents who were heading to Embu Stadium to attend the University of Embu graduation ceremony.

He lacked an escape route and was cornered by irate boda boda riders, who burnt him along with his vehicle in revenge.

“The suspect knew Embu is a busy town, but he drove at high speed and injured our colleague and killed his passenger,” one of the riders, who sought anonymity for fear of victimisation, said.

Martin Mwangi, also known as Bishop, was lynched by boda-boda riders in Embu County.

Photo credit: George Munene | Nation

The riders lynched Mwangi, oblivious to the fact that he was being pursued by the police.

Mr Kitili recalled how they arrived at the scene only to find the badly burnt body of the suspect.

“We were pursuing Mwangi after the dramatic robbery at Gatunduri, but before we caught up with him, the riders lynched him over a traffic offence he had committed,” the Embu West police boss said.

Mr Kitili described Mwangi as a criminal who was part of a gang that had been raiding business premises in Embu and other parts of the country.

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He said Mwangi lived in a bunker because he knew he was being sought by law enforcers and only emerged when he wanted to steal.

“He would strike and retreat to his hiding den, but it seems he had run out of luck,” he said.

Mr Kitili said the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) had taken up the matter.

“The DCI now want to establish the identity of Mr Mwangi's accomplices who were giving residents and other Kenyans sleepless nights,” said Mr Kitili.

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