Tension as Sungusungu militia kills three suspected gang members in Mombasa

Tension remains high in Shanzu, Mombasa County, after three people suspected to be members of a gang in Kisauni were allegedly killed by community policing members and the area chief.

Families of those killed have refuted claims that their loved ones were part of a gang that has been causing fear among residents.

Two suspected gang members are said to have been stoned to death outside their homes.

According to the residents, six community policing members popularly known as Sungusungu together with Shanzu area Chief Athman Fondo, while on patrol, arrested one of the suspected members and took him to a nearby playing ground where they beat him before residents intervened.

“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 suspect was taken to Wellness hospital in Shanzu for treatment but, after some time, residents and the doctor at the facility claim that the area chief and community policing members came baying for his blood.

“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.

At the Coast General Hospital, the family of 30-year-old Mohammed Ali and Bakari Ali are pained by the death of their loved ones. 

They claim that on Friday, the area chief and some community policing members went to Mohammed Ali’s home, arrested the two and stoned them to death outside the house. 

“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 group of youth are said to have planned to revenge the deaths but local leaders stopped the plot.

“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.

Kisauni sub-county Commissioner Jamlick Mbuba said the three were members of a criminal gang and were killed by angry residents and that investigations are currently ongoing.