Terror gang attacks trigger fears ahead of Eid
A wave of terror swept through the peaceful Mikindani area in Jomvu sub-county, Mombasa at dawn yesterday, as a gang of thugs armed with machetes and kitchen knives, unleashed a brutal and senseless attack on unsuspecting residents.
The attack that started at around 1am and continued to 2am according to witnesses, left several individuals nursing severe injuries in hospitals.
Witnesses described scenes of chaos and horror as the thugs rampaged through Sunset and Kwa Shee areas, hacking and stabbing at random. The attackers said to be about 15 reportedly crossed from Kisauni through Hussein crossing point on a boat.
Kennedy Mutui, a Tuk Tuk operator, said he had just dropped a client in the Mnazi mmoja area within Mikindani when he encountered the blood thirsty gangs.
“My Tuk Tuk has no starter. So, after I finished with the client I went behind to restart it. That is when I saw a group of people armed with machetes approaching. They told me not to move before hacking my head, hands, including my fingers. One of the attackers frisked me and took my phone and Sh150. Another one took my shoes,” Mutui said from his hospital in Mikindani Hospital where the majority of the victims were hospitalised.
David Munene, another victim who was cornered by around six attackers while on duty at Sunset Lodge was stabbed on the right side of his hip before he scampered for safety. Jomvu sub-county Police Commander Lydia Wanjiru, condemned the heinous act, and said five suspects have so far been arrested in connection with yesterday’s attack.
While vowing to bring the perpetrators to justice, Wanjiru said five people were reported injured; majority of them sustained deep cuts and stabs from machetes and knives attacks.“We have recovered three machetes and knives from the suspects,” she said.
“We have information that the suspects were ferried through the creek at Hussein crossing and their motive was to commit crimes.”
Police boss said preliminary investigations have linked the incident to a wave of attacks that normally occur in Mombasa towards the end of the Holy Month of Ramadhan.
