Mombasa leaders demand immediate opening of Musa, Sakina, Swafaa and Mina mosques

MOMBASA, KENYA:  Mombasa political leaders now demand immediate opening of closed mosques saying they are ready to facilitate talks between radical youths and State.

At a press conference held on Friday in Mombasa, the leaders said they were ready to facilitate a meeting between the militant youths and the government in coming up with a solution.

In Nairobi, two senators and 8 MPs also reiterated call to open the mosques saying the action was against constitution.

Senators Billow Kerrow and Hassan Omar said what the police was doing is not genuine and could only lead to further radicalisation of youth.

“What State is doing is just but profiling the mosques, they should engage leaders to come to the bottom of the matter,” they said at a press conference in Nairobi.

In an early morning inspection, Standard digital discovered tight security in area such as Majengo ahead of Friday prayers.

Police however on Thursday told Muslims affected by the closing of four mosques at the Coast to look for alternative places of worship.

"Let them go and worship in other mosques," said Mombasa County Police Commander Robert Kitur Thursday evening.

Police insisted no one would be allowed into Musa, Sakina, Swafaa and Mina mosques until investigations were completed and worshippers selected new committees and imams to manage the mosques.

Hundreds of GSU and regular police officers have sealed off the mosques.