Three brothers among 7 people lynched by mob over the last 3 days in Mombasa

Police officers in Mombasa County are investigating three incidents that led to the lynching of 7 people.

Six of them were burnt to death, while one was rescued by congregants on Sunday before being pronounced dead at the Coast General Hospital.

The three separate mob justice incidents in Mjambere ward, Kisauni, are the latest cases of suspected robbers dealt with by civilians taking the law into their hands over the last three days.

Janet Sidi Kadenge is mourning the loss of her three sons; Kahindi Kazungu (25), Karisa Kazungu Thoya (23), and Katana Kazungu (20), who were lynched on Sunday and their bodies razed.

“Mmoja alipelekwa huko chini kwa hiyo mob justice… mwengine alikuwa ametoka kazi akaona hiyo vurumai na akataka kumsaidia ndugu yake, wakachanganya wote na kuwauwa,” said Ms. Kadenge.

Another relative, Mohammed Karisa, said;”Wale mob hawakutaka kujua ni nani…walianza na yule alikuwa ameingia, mapanga na marungu, mwisho wakapoteza maisha wote.”

Outside Coast General Hospital, the family of Paul Odhiambo is in grief. After their son Lucas Odhiambo was attacked by a group of unknown people who ejected him from church.  A day after he was taken to hospital, he died from the injuries sustained.

“Walipomaliza kumpiga walikuwa wamchome na tairi lakini watu wa kanisa wakawa wako pale na polisi walikuwa wamefika. Mtoto wangu si mhuni, alikuwa amemaliza college na alikuwa amenitabiria mengi,” said Mr. Odhiambo.

Morris Mvoi, a Pastor, stated: “Walikuwa wanaufanya na umakini sana maana taarifa tulizo nazo ni kwamba kuna vijana wawili walikuja kuangalia kama yuko ndani, ndio wakaita wenzao kuja kanisani kumtoa.”

Others who have been killed are James Omwende and Omar Juma; the two were killed early Wednesday.

Mombasa County Commissioner John Otieno has cautioned residents over the trend that has seen 7 suspected robbers killed. A section of residents say only two were robbers, but that the others were cases of mistaken identity.

Omar Elmawi, the Executive Director of Muhuri, said: “Hili lisipochukuliwa hatua watu wengine huenda wakafariki manake watu waambiwa wataje majina kabla ya kuachiliwa.”

In the last 24 hours, 6 suspects have been arrested according to the Mombasa County Commissioner, and the operation is set to continue.