Two injured by stray bullets as police battle criminals in Mombasa
Haki Africa’s Francis Auma (left) and Ms Khadija Swaleh look at an X-ray image indicating where a stray bullet that hit Rajab Mohamed, a pupil at Kengeleni Primary School, is lodged. The boy was shot by a stray bullet as police battled criminal youths in Kiasuni, Mombasa on May 5, 2016. PHOTO | WACHIRA MWANGI | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- Mr Katana said the incident happened at around 8.am as police engaged the suspected criminals in running battles.
- He added that one of the officers who fired bullets was an Administration policeman while his colleagues were in civilian clothes.
- Mohamed’s mother, Ms Khadija Swaleh, said her son went home bleeding profusely saying he had been hit by a stone.
- Kisauni Police boss Richard Ngatia said investigations had been launched to establish what could have transpired.
An eight-year-old boy and a man are fighting for their lives in hospital after they were shot and seriously injured by stray bullets as police battled criminal youths in Kisauni, Mombasa Thursday morning.
The 29-year-old man and the child caught in the cross-fire when police raided the Magondoroni in Soko Mjinga which is known as a den for criminal gang.
Rajab Mohamed, a pupil at Kengeleni Primary School was shot in the chest as he headed to school in the company of his younger brother, while Mr Kitsao Katana, a matatu conductor on the Mshomoroni route, was shot on his private parts.
The two were admitted to the Coast General Provincial General Hospital.
A bullet was still lodged in the child’s chest.
Mr Katana said the incident happened at around 8.am as police engaged the suspected criminals in running battles.
Mohamed’s mother, Ms Khadija Swaleh, said her son went home bleeding profusely saying he had been hit by a stone.
HEARD BOY CRYING
“I was inside the house preparing to have my breakfast after my boys had left for school. A few minutes later, I heard Mohamed crying and when I went out. I saw his uniform was full of blood and his shirt was torn. I rushed him to a nearby clinic where I was told it was a bullet which was still in the body,” Ms Swaleh said.
She said according to a doctor’s report, the bullet was still lodged in the boy's chest.
Ms Swaleh said her son had told her that he was hurt during the fracas around Soko Mjinga where the incident happened.
Writhing in pain and struggling to speak, Mr Katana, on the other hand, said the chaotic scene happened as the policemen ran after youths after raiding their Magodoroni den.
NOTORIOUS DRUG DEN
Magodoroni is a notorious drug den in Kisuani.
“We heard strange noises and that is when people started running,” Mr Katana said.
He said that as he ran, he felt something hit him on his genitals.
“I stopped a passing motorcycle which brought me to the hospital,” said Mr Katana as he cried in pain.
He added that one of the officers who fired bullets was an Administration policeman while his colleagues were in civilian clothes.
“I just feel that my life has been ruined because I am not sure if I will be able to exercise my conjugal rights with my future wife,” said Mr Katana.
Contacted, Kisauni Police boss Richard Ngatia said investigations had been launched to establish what could have transpired.
