Gang attacks woman, razes business premise

A machete-wielding gang attacked a woman before setting her business premise on fire in Kisauni, Mombasa county.

The attackers gained access into Alice Kirok's business premises located along Tugawe Road in Mshomoroni at around 2 am after breaking steal doors.

The gang demanded money from Ms Kirok before they slashed her on the head. She is admitted to hospital.

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Mombasa county Police Commander Stephen Matu said they have already arrested one suspect who is helping them with investigations.

“We are following crucial leads after getting some information from the suspect. I don’t believe this is a normal robbery, I suspect it is linked to business rivalry. We have never seen such an incident where robbers steal from their victims and then set a shop ablaze,” said Matu.

The police boss who described the incident as an isolated case said police have launched investigations into the attack on the businesswoman.

The woman's husband, James Njilo told The Standard that the machete-wielding gang broke the shop’s steel doors and gained entry into the house.

He said the gang ransacked the shop and stole assorted items including gas cylinders.

"They broke into my bedroom, woke up my wife demanding money we had collected from sales the previous day," he said.

The gang inflicted four deep cuts on the woman's head and two on the right hand after she resisted.

"We lost property worth more than Sh500,000 in the attack. The attackers fled with Mpesa float of Sh150,000 cash and Sh50,000 which was in the phone. They also robbed my wife of personal effects. I have a wholesale shop for gas cylinders and other items which were stolen,” said Njilo.

He said the gang attacked his wife after he had left to go and open another business which starts operating at 3 am only to be informed that his shop had been invaded.

Mombasa county government security officers led by Derick Tangai were among the first responders and put out the fire that was spreading to other business premises.

“After receiving the information about the fire incident, I alerted the fire brigade which responded immediately,” said Tangai.