One man was hacked to death and three others seriously injured on Sunday night in Junda Village, Kisauni, Mombasa County.
All the victims of the attacks are Ugandans who have lived in Mombasa for years doing menial jobs. Police say they were also involved in gambling.
Witnesses said the gang of 50 men climbed the roof, uprooted an iron-sheet and cut the ceiling to gain access to the house after they were unable to break the house's grill door.
Kisauni police boss Peter Muluku said preliminary investigations indicate that the attack was linked to gambling as the victims had differed with another group after winning their stake.
The deceased was identified as 35-year-old David Otua. Others were Julius Nasambwa, Moses Mukhowe and Job Kutosi who sustained deep cuts in their heads, hands, leg and faces.
The three are admitted at Coast General Hospital.
Moses Mukhowe who sustained deep cuts on the head and hands told The Standard they had responded to distress calls from their brother but on arrival, the armed men beat them up leaving them with serious injuries.
Coast regional coordinator John Elungata told the Standard three suspects have since been arrested and are helping the security apparatus in the investigations.
Mr Elungata regretted the attack and promised to deal firmly with all the gambling dens and the owners were weeded out completely.
‘’I can confirm to you that we have three suspects in police custody helping us with investigations. This issue of gambling machines will be dealt with once and for all, ’he said.
Yesterday, Commission for Human Rights and Justice called the police to crack the whip on the gambling machine owners claiming they are in the pockets of the police.
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Executive director Julius Ogogo said most of the gambling machines owners are being protected by senior security officials who in turn pay them some fee.