Flying Squad raids Hassan Joho ally's Ganjoni home

Police raid a shop that belongs to Hassan Joho's friend in Mombasa

What you need to know:

  • Hours later, other officers visited a firearms shop owned by Mombasa County Inspectorate Director Naheed Musa.

  • Mr Musa said the officers went to his shop for a "normal" routine inspection.

Flying Squad police officers have raided and ransacked the house of a close ally of Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho in an operation whose purpose remains a mystery.

More than 10 officers stormed the house of Arub Ibrahim Katri, who, sources said, is a licensed firearm owner.

When the Nation team visited the house in Ganjoni, the officers were still in the house as Mr Katri's relatives stood outside.

“They just came and got into the house. We do not know their motive, but when they are done, they will go,” one of Mr Katri's relatives said.

INSPECTION

Hours later, other officers visited a firearms shop owned by Mombasa County Inspectorate Director Naheed Musa.

Mr Musa said the officers went to his shop for a "normal" routine inspection.

“I am an authorised civilian firearms dealer, the officers are here for inspection and there is no ill motive. It could be the timing which is bad, but they have to do inspection in January,” he told the Nation.

"An inspection can only be done when the owner is there and you can see that I'm here with the officers. They are going through all my files in what the normal routines requires,” he added.

In the store, located on Links Road in Nyali, the Nation saw about four officers going through files.

GUN AUDIT

The incidents come three days after Mombasa Senator Hassan Omar called for an audit of some of the gun owners in Mombasa, including powerful personalities and politicians.

And a day after Mr Omar’s remarks, Coast Regional Coordinator Nelson Marwa said the government was planning to mop up illegal guns in the Coast region ahead of the August elections.

He said the operation would target mainly licensed owners, especially VIPs, who are abusing the privilege.

Mr Marwa further said that Nyali, a posh residential suburb where many prominent and powerful personalities live, was leading in harbouring illegal guns.