Two killed, MRC leader arrested in dawn gunfight

Kombani Assistant Chief in Kwale was hacked to death at 8am in what police consider to be a retaliatory attack following the Monday dawn arrest of Mombasa Republican Council (MRC) leader Omar Mwamnuadzi.

While confirming the incident, PPO Aggrey Adoli said Assistant Chief Salim Changu Shomba was probably killed in a retaliatory attack by MRC members who viewed him as a 'betrayer'.

Mr Adoli told Nation that a security team is combing the area in search of the suspects.

During the Sunday dawn raid, two people were reported dead and 38 people were arrested following a heavy gunfight near the home of Mombasa Republican Council (MRC) leader Omar Mwamnuadzi during the 2am incident.

According to Kwale OCPD Richard Mugwai, 35 men and three women were arrested including the wife to Mr Mwamnuadzi.

Mr Mugwai told Nation that the two people killed were the bodyguards of the MRC leader.

He said the bodyguards had barricaded the road heading to Mr Mwamnuadzi and began attacking a police vehicle with a petrol bomb which did not explode.

Mr Mugwai said a shootout ensued in which the two bodyguards were killed and two people injured.

Police also recovered four petrol bombs, an AK-47 rifle, 15 rounds of ammunition, MRC t-shirts branded 'Pwani si Kenya' pamphlets and witchcraft paraphernalia.

The suspects will be arraigned in court later on Monday

The police began a crackdown on gangs operating in the coast region on October 8th, a move that resulted in Mr Mwamnuadzi going into hiding.

Several members of the MRC leadership have been arrested during the course of the crackdown.