Six arrested over killing of Italian doctor in Watamu
Italian Catholic priest Luigi De Lella Zio,78 (left) and Giovannino Fossaceca 77 (right) recuperate at the Tawfiq Hospital in Malindi town on Sunday. The two were attacked by armed gangsters at a Villa in Watamu where Mr Giovannino's daughter was shot dead. The government on Monday evening announced it had arrested six suspects in relation to the incident. PHOTO | KAZUNGU SAMUEL | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- On Monday, they narrated their experience in the hands of the gangsters.
- Mzee Fossaceca was heavily bandaged and groaning in pain.
- The CS called on local leaders and the clergy to talk to the local youth to discourage them from joining radical groups.
- Italian consular in Malindi, Roberto Macri, described the incident as unfortunate and hoped that the government would tighten security to avoid future such occurrences.
Six people were Monday evening arrested over the killing of an Italian doctor in Watamu, Kilifi County.
During the Saturday night incident, other members of the family were seriously injured.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Maj Gen (Rtd) Joseph Nkaissery said the ring leader and five of his compliances had been arrested.
Addressing the public at Watamu chief’s camp after touring the private villas where the Italian philanthropist was gunned down, Maj Gen Nkaissery, who was accompanied by the Inspector-General of Police Joseph Boinnet said security had been tightened ahead of the festive season.
“I want to announce to you that the six suspected gangsters who killed an Italian tourist on Saturday is in our hands together with his five colleagues,” he said.
The CS called on local leaders and the clergy to talk to the local youth to discourage them from joining radical groups.
To boost security, the government will install street lights within Watamu which is an important tourist centre in the Coast.
SHOT AT CLOSE RANGE
On Saturday, six gunmen stormed Triverio villas within Watamu Village and shot dead 50-year-old surgeon Rita Fossaceca at close range when she tried to protect her elderly parents from being slashed with a panga.
Her father, 77-year-old Giovannino Fossaceca and her 75-year-old mother Michelina Dilella together with a 78-year-old Catholic priest and Dilella’s brother Luigi Di Lella, were seriously injured and are recuperating at Tawfiq Hospital in Malindi.
On Monday, they narrated their experience in the hands of the gangsters.
“Two men jumped over the perimeter wall soon after we had had dinner at around 9pm.
“They started beating us up demanding for money. When Rita saw her elderly parents being punished, she challenged the two men but one of them shot her in the chest at close range and she died instantly,” said Fr Lella.
JUMPED OVER THE WALL
Four other men jumped over the wall and started to slash them with pangas demanding to be given money.
“They dragged us on the floor while others snatched our gold rings and chains. I lost both my golden engagement and wedding rings and chain,” said Ms Dilella.
Mzee Fossaceca was heavily bandaged and groaning in pain. Doctors said he received serious body and skull injuries.
The Italian consular in Malindi, Roberto Macri, described the incident as unfortunate and hoped that the government would tighten security to avoid future such occurrences.
The doctor’s body was due to be taken to Pandya Memorial Hospital for post-mortem Tuesday before being flown to Italy on Wednesday or Thursday.
