Police close in on attackers of Briton in Kilifi

A man checks the damaged pick-up truck belonging to Mr David Taylor, who was attacked over the weekend by a gang, at Bofa Farm in Kilifi County on May 8, 2016. PHOTO | KAZUNGU SAMUEL | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • The settler, who received severe burns after the attack , is receiving treatment at Mombasa Hospital.
  • The thugs threw a petrol bomb into the Nissan pick-up truck he was driving.

  • Police said they would secure the 230-acre Bofa farm and close other routes that villagers use to access it.

Police have not made any arrest in connection with a gangland attack on a Kenyan of British origin over a disputed farm, that was recently invaded by squatters in Kilifi.

County Police Commander Wachira Mathenge said detectives were zeroing on suspects, who attacked Mr David Taylor with a petrol bomb as he drove near the disputed land at Bofa/Kiwandani suburb.

The police boss, who was accompanied by OCPD Alexander Makau, said the suspects would be arrested “soon.’’

The settler, who received severe burns after the attack by a gang on a motorcycle, is being treated at Mombasa Hospital.

The thugs threw a petrol bomb into the Nissan pick-up truck he was driving.

Mr Makau said the attackers threw the bottle filled with petrol which broke the rear window of the pick-up truck and exploded inside the car seriously injuring Mr Taylor at about 9pm.

“Since the attack, our officers have been on the ground and I can assure Kilifi residents that all those who were involved in the attack will be arrested to face the full force of the law,” said Mr Mathenge.

Police said they would secure the 230-acre Bofa farm and close other routes that villagers use to access it.

“What we want to do is to make sure that the place is secure because those living in that area have been complaining about rising cases of insecurity.  We shall map out ways of addressing the insecurity in that area,” said Mr Makau.

ACCESS ROUTE

“Those who will trespass through the farm will be arrested. Only tenants with houses and land in the Bofa farm will be allowed in,” said Mr Makau.

For years, the farm has been used by locals as a shortcut route to the Kilifi public beaches. It is also used by fishermen to access the ocean.