Tension As Sungusungu Militia Kills Three Suspected Gang Members In Mombasa
Tension remains elevated in Shanzu, Mombasa County, following the reported killing of three individuals believed to be associated with a gang in Kisauni. The alleged perpetrators of this act are said to be members of community policing and the local chief.
Relatives of the deceased have contested assertions that their family members were associated with a group causing apprehension among locals.
Two individuals believed to be affiliated with a gang reportedly met their demise through stoning in the vicinity of their residences.
As per the accounts of the locals, six individuals affiliated with community policing, commonly referred to as Sungusungu, along with Shanzu area Chief Athman Fondo, apprehended a suspected member during their patrol. They then transported him to a nearby playground where they subjected him to physical assault until residents stepped in to intervene.
“Walikuwa kama watu sita…wakawachukua…tulipojaribu kufuatiliza tukaambiwa anapelekwa polisi ni mwizi. Tukasema kama ni mwizi, ni sawa yuko kwa mikono ya serikali…maajabu tukasikia amefikishwa kwa uwanja ikawa ni kupigwa watu wakaenda kumtetea ndio akaletwa hospitali kichwa kimefura,” Elizabeth Kimani, a resident, said.
The individual was brought to Wellness Hospital in Shanzu for medical care. However, later on, locals and the doctor at the facility assert that the area chief and members of community policing arrived, seemingly seeking revenge against the suspect.
“Chifu alikuja kwa hospitali yangu alipata namhudumia kijana nishaweka fluids, painkillers, first aid…nimempatia akaingia na vijana fulani hapo wakasema ni huyu kijana tunataka nikasema huyu kijana anataka ambulance,” Dr. Gordon Owenga said.
The suspect later died while being rushed to another hospital.
The loved ones of 30-year-old Mohammed Ali and Bakari Ali are grieving the loss of their family members at Coast General Hospital.
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They allege that last Friday, the local chief and several members of the community policing team visited Mohammed Ali’s residence, apprehended the pair, and subsequently subjected them to a fatal stoning just outside the premises.
“Nikitoka kwa swala naambiwa mtoto wako ameuwawa; kwa nini wananiambia amepigwa na mawe? Nani amepigwa mawe? Wananiambia Sungusungu mwenye alikuwa anaongoza na grupu lake pamoja na chifu wameenda kwa kijana nyumbani alikuwa na kijana mwenzake wakawafunga kamba za miguu na mikono wakafukuza wanawake waliokuwa area wakawatandika mawe mpaka kufa hapo hapo,” Ali’s mother Zainab Omar lamented.
Jackson Mwanduka, his uncle, added: “Kijana kama huyu alikuwa amelala hasa ako shughuli zake wakamvamia. Hiki kitendo tunakilaani…kinachohuzunisha zaidi walimfunga kamba alikuwa hawezi kujitetea.”
“Hata kama kijana ana makosa, Chifu na Sungusungu kuchukua sharia mikononi hilo ni jambo kama familia limetuhuzunisha sana,” Ali’s aunty Betty Masha said.
A set of young individuals reportedly intended to seek retaliation for the deaths, but community leaders intervened and thwarted the scheme.
“Hawa walikuwa wanajipanga walipize kisasi imebidi tuje tuongee nao ili kusiwe na kilipizana kisasi na shauri taasisi husika tafadhali lets follow the due process ya kisheria,” Shanzu MCA Allan Katana noted.
Jamlick Mbuba, the Commissioner of Kisauni sub-county, stated that the trio belonged to a criminal gang and was fatally attacked by enraged locals. Presently, investigations into the matter are underway.
Tension As Sungusungu Militia Kills Three Suspected Gang Members In Mombasa
