Two killed in wave of violence in Likoni

Two boys were killed on Thursday night following a clash between boda boda operators and a youth gang in Likoni, Mombasa County.

Rights group, Haki Africa, said the two were killed by a mob in an area called Senti Kumi after gang members tried to rob a boda boda operator. The gang is suspected to have been terrorising residents for months.

In a statement to the press, Haki Africa Executive Director Hussein Khalid condemned the gang and also demanded an end to mob violence against suspects.

Six members of the gang were rescued by the police and taken to the Coast General Hospital where the two succumbed to injuries.

Likoni police boss Benjamin Rotich said the four who survived have been treated and are now in police custody.

“The four have been discharged from hospital and we are conducting investigations. They will be produced in court and charged,” Rotich said.

Deputy Chief Administrator at the Coast General Hospital, Mary Ochola, said the six boys aged between 15 and 18 were taken to the hospital yesterday morning.

“They were brought in at 5am but one of them died upon arrival, a postmortem will be carried out to ascertain the cause of death,” Ochola said.

He said a report will be produced on the degree of injuries the other boys suffered.

A parent to one of those who died while undergoing treatment, said his son had disappeared from home three weeks ago.

The parent, who sought anonymity, said he reported his son’s disappearance at Nyali Police Station, only to be told that his son was at the hospital.

Salim Wachu, a 15-year-old boy who was among those attacked, said the men suspected them to be members of a gang.

Wachu said he broke his arm during the attack and was saved by the police.