People across the world have continued to invent unconventional ways of punishing thieves, specifically phone snatchers whenever they are caught red-handed.
While theft remains a serious crime, many communities appear to be moving away from brutal forms of punishment that were common in the past and are instead resorting to methods meant to shame and deter offenders without inflicting fatal harm.
Unlike some years ago when suspected thieves would be beaten to a pulp or even killed through mob justice, members of the public today are increasingly finding alternative ways to deal with criminals once they nab them.
These new forms of punishment, though still controversial, are often designed to humiliate the culprits rather than physically harm them.
In one such incident that has sparked heated debate online, a video has surfaced showing two male phone snatchers being forced to kiss each other after a failed phone theft mission.
The clip, which has since gone viral on social media, shows the two men surrounded by an angry mob that had allegedly caught them attempting to snatch a phone.
The exact location where the incident took place is yet to be established, but that has not stopped the video from causing massive excitement and reactions across various social media platforms.
Netizens have been sharing, commenting and debating the morality of the punishment meted out to the suspects.
In the video, the two alleged thieves are seen kissing each other as members of the mob watch closely.
Each time they stopped or hesitated, they reportedly received blows, forcing them to continue.
According to voices heard in the background, the men had to comply with the unusual demand to avoid more dire consequences from the enraged crowd.
The incident has reignited conversations around mob justice, public shaming and the limits of citizen-led punishment.
While some social media users argued that the thieves deserved the humiliation as a lesson, others condemned the act, insisting that suspects should always be handed over to the police.
This case comes just days after another bizarre punishment incident was reported closer home.
Recently, a thief who was caught stealing in a Nairobi apartment was forced by residents to mop the entire building using his own T-shirt.
As if that was not enough, he was later instructed to mop two other neighbouring apartments as part of his punishment before being released.
Such incidents highlight a growing trend where communities opt for instant, unconventional penalties instead of resorting to violence or immediately involving law enforcement.
However, experts continue to warn that while these methods may seem less harmful, they still amount to mob justice and can easily spiral out of control.
The viral video of the two male phone snatchers serves as yet another reminder of how public punishment of suspects continues to evolve, raising critical questions about justice, human rights and the rule of law in modern society.
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