Police faulted over failure to seize robbers

Police in Mombasa have been put on the spot over failure to arrest three armed gangsters who are targeting traders.

At least four traders have been attacked by the smartly dressed criminals in the last two months in Majengo, Mwembe Tayari and Nyali estates. They use a motorcycle during their operations.

On Friday evening, they shot dead a 25-year-old man from Mwembe Kuku area within the island after they raided a shop and left with about Sh500,000 and other items belonging to the owner, employees and shoppers.

Eyewitnesses said the gangsters, who posed as shoppers, arrived at around 8pm and bought some cigarettes, only to return to steal at gunpoint.

“Two gangsters went inside the shop while the third one kept guard outside. They stole money and mobile phones from the owner, her workers and customers,” said an eyewitness.

Shot group of youths

Mr Mohammed Shukri Mohammed said his brother, Mr Issa Lali, was killed after the gangsters shot at a group of youths pursuing them as they fled the area when the shop owner raised the alarm.

“They shot at a group of youths responding to the distress call but the bullet ended up hitting my brother who was just seated outside the next shop. He was hit on the right shoulder and abdomen. He died from excessive bleeding,” he said.

A business woman sustained serious injuries after her vehicle was sprayed with bullets on Swaminarayan Temple Road when she defied the gangsters’ order to stop.

Coast provincial police boss Aggrey Adoli recently said a team of officers from the Flying Squad had been set up to hunt the gangsters.