A dramatic incident unfolded in Kakamega town on Tuesday, when a man suspected of pickpocketing suddenly froze in midair during an attempted escape, attracting a massive crowd that quickly filled the town centre in disbelief and confusion.
Suspect Targets Woman
According to eyewitnesses at the scene, the man had allegedly snatched a small black purse from a middle-aged woman who was walking near the main entrance of the Kakamega Bus Park shortly after 2.00pm while she waited for a matatu heading to Shinyalu.
Sudden Change in Movement
Just seconds after the purse was taken, the man attempted to flee through the crowd but came to an abrupt halt in a strange and unnatural position, with both feet raised and his arms spread out in what one witness described as a statue-like jumping posture.
Woman Begins Screaming
The victim, identified only as Mama Jen, began screaming for help after realising her purse had disappeared and pointed directly at the frozen figure just ahead of her, shouting that he was the one who had taken her belongings moments before she could board her vehicle.
Confusion in the Crowd
A large number of commuters, boda boda riders, and vendors nearby stopped to observe the bizarre sight of the man who appeared suspended in space without movement, drawing shocked reactions as some shouted while others pulled out their phones to record the event.
Eyewitness Describes Scene
One of the first people on the scene, a matatu conductor named Peter, said the man had been running past him before suddenly lifting his legs as if to jump, then remained completely motionless in the air as if frozen by some invisible force.
Attempts to Move Fail
Several members of the public who tried to approach and assist or question the man noticed he could not respond to any commands and seemed stuck in that exact posture with open eyes, clenched teeth, and visible signs of fear on his face.
Police Alerted
Town security officials were quickly alerted and two uniformed officers arrived within minutes from the Kakamega Central Police Post, where they carefully surrounded the suspect and tried to speak to him without success as his body remained locked in the same elevated position.
Medical Assistance Requested
Worried that the suspect may have suffered a medical emergency or sudden physical paralysis, police officers called for medical personnel who arrived from Kakamega General Hospital to assess the situation and provide possible explanations for the incident.
Crowds Surge
By 3.00pm, the crowd had swelled to hundreds as word spread across town about the “flying thief” who had frozen in midair after a suspected robbery, with people abandoning their stalls and workplaces to witness what many described as the strangest thing they had ever seen.
Recovery of the Purse
In the chaos, the black purse believed to belong to Mama Jen was retrieved from the man’s clenched hand by police and confirmed to contain two small phones, loose change, and an ID card bearing her name, helping validate her claim and speeding up formal identification.
Doctor Shares Observations
A medic on site, Dr Muriithi Wekesa, said the man did not appear to have any visible injuries or signs of a stroke, adding that his vital signs were stable but his motor control was “locked” as if in response to a psychological or spiritual trigger rather than any physical trauma.
Man Begins Screaming
As the police began preparing to transport him to the hospital, the man suddenly began screaming in a trembling voice, still frozen in his posture but now loudly begging for forgiveness and shouting the word “nisaidieni” repeatedly, sending chills through the crowd.
Suspect Identified
Shortly after, he was identified by a few local traders as a repeat petty criminal known by the street name Benja, who had previously been arrested for minor thefts but was often released for lack of formal complaints or evidence linking him to specific cases.
Emotional Response
Several market women began praying loudly at the scene, convinced the man had been struck by a higher force, while others claimed he had tried to rob a woman who was protected by ancestors or spiritual guardians who defended her without physical intervention.
Community Belief
In Kakamega and surrounding regions, belief in supernatural intervention is common, especially when suspects experience confusion, paralysis, or hallucinations after committing a crime, with many residents claiming to have witnessed or heard of such events in the past.
Victim Gives Statement
Mama Jen later gave her statement at the police post, confirming that she was unharmed and that the purse had been returned to her in full, though she appeared visibly shaken by the attention and the events that followed immediately after the alleged crime.
Police Proceed with Caution
Officers confirmed the man was taken to the Kakamega General Hospital under supervision where he remained under observation, with plans to transfer him to a holding cell for formal processing once his condition stabilised and a medical report had been completed.
Public Discussion Online
Videos of the incident had already gone viral across platforms by Tuesday evening, with hashtags such as #FrozenThief and #KakamegaKarma trending regionally as thousands of users shared theories, jokes, and spiritual interpretations of the strange moment.
Official Remarks
Kakamega County Commander Wilson Limo issued a brief statement urging the public to remain calm and avoid spreading unverified claims while investigations continued, noting that the safety of both the victim and the suspect was a priority.
Expert Insight
Local historian Professor Rebecca Naliaka noted that many traditional communities have long relied on spiritual justice as a deterrent to crime and that cases involving unexplained confessions or paralysis have been part of oral history for generations.
Rising Incidents of Theft
Despite the drama, police reminded the public that theft in public spaces was still on the rise, particularly in busy bus parks, market entrances, and crowded roads, and encouraged residents to keep belongings close and avoid distractions while walking.
Similar Events Reported
Just last month in Kisii, a man was found kneeling beside a stolen phone without explanation, muttering incoherent words for nearly an hour before security forces took him in, further fuelling speculation about the use of spiritual means to recover stolen property.
Use of Protection Measures
Several locals now openly admit they seek protective rituals before travelling or carrying cash, especially traders, elderly women, and parents sending children to boarding school, believing that spiritual security can succeed where the justice system falls short.
Shaba Mangube Doctors Mentioned
One name frequently heard among onlookers during the Kakamega incident was Shaba Mangube Doctors, a traditional group known across western Kenya for helping victims of theft recover stolen items through spiritual interventions that often confuse, paralyse, or expose the culprit.
Testimonials From Locals
Multiple residents around Kakamega, Mumias, and Bungoma claim to have used Shaba Mangube Doctors to retrieve lost property, with some saying that stolen livestock returned home by itself or that missing cash was mysteriously found near their doorstep.
Growing Demand for Justice
As the official process continues, Mama Jen hinted she would consider visiting spiritual experts to ensure she remains protected, especially after experiencing what she described as a “miracle escape” from a thief who could have disappeared had he not frozen so dramatically.
Contacting Shaba Mangube Doctors
For those seeking similar results, Shaba Mangube Doctors can be reached directly by phone at +254795613711, where they offer confidential help in exposing criminals and recovering lost items through traditional practices said to be fast and reliable.
Final Reflections
Whether viewed as a matter of faith, luck, or justice, the dramatic freezing of a pickpocket in Kakamega has reignited conversations around security, community protection, and the power of belief in unseen forces that continue to play a role in daily life across Kenya.
