By Meza Mwanza
Mombasa County, Kenya: The peaceful demonstrations in Mombasa turned chaotic when a middle-aged man emerged from the building house at Qafee Point Restaurant on Nyerere Avenue, brandishing a pistol and allegedly aiming to protect his property from looters infiltrating the demonstration.
When the gunfire ceased, three people lay in pools of blood on the roadside with serious gunshot wounds, first responders identified two victims as 24-year-old Edwin Bufa and 26-year-old Rashid Gumza both victims were rushed to Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital (CGTRH).
The Directorate of Criminal Investigation (DCI) identified the shooter as Somalian and the owner of Qafee Point Restaurant was arrested, and placed in custody.
“We were very peaceful, and the police were just behind us, we had already agreed to wind up the street protest, but the man opened fire and shot three of us,” said a protester.
In retaliation, angry protesters set five vehicles parked outside Qafee Point on fire and destroyed the restaurant Several shops along Nyerere Avenue and Digo Road were also vandalized which forced armed anti-riot police to intervene to stop further looting.
The crowd, chanting and demanding justice, gathered outside the building where the shooter had taken refuge for more than two hours before the DCI officers arrived to rescue him, whisking him away to an undisclosed location while using tear gas to disperse the crowd. However, while addressing the protesters in Mombasa the Governor urged his people to carry out their protests peacefully, without causing any harm, and also added that they have his blessing.
“Who agrees that we are not here to destroy property or steal from others? Mombasa is a big city, and we cannot burn it down. The police are here to protect those demonstrating. When I look at all of you, I see the peace and progress we want for Mombasa,” said Governor Nassir.
The peaceful demonstrations in Mombasa turned chaotic when a middle-aged man emerged from the building house at Qafee Point Restaurant on Nyerere Avenue, brandishing a pistol and allegedly aiming to protect his property from looters infiltrating the demonstration.
When the gunfire ceased, three people lay in pools of blood on the roadside with serious gunshot wounds, first responders identified two victims as 24-year-old Edwin Bufa and 26-year-old Rashid Gumza both victims were rushed to Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital (CGTRH).
The Directorate of Criminal Investigation (DCI) identified the shooter as of Somali tribe in Kenya origin and the owner of Qafee Point Restaurant was arrested, and placed in custody.
“We were very peaceful, and the police were just behind us, we had already agreed to wind up the street protest, but the man opened fire and shot three of us,” said a protester.
In retaliation, angry protesters set five vehicles parked outside Qafee Point on fire and destroyed the restaurant Several shops along Nyerere Avenue and Digo Road were also vandalized which forced armed anti-riot police to intervene to stop further looting.
The crowd, chanting and demanding justice, gathered outside the building where the shooter had taken refuge for more than two hours before the DCI officers arrived to rescue him, whisking him away to an undisclosed location while using tear gas to disperse the crowd.
However, while addressing the protesters in Mombasa the Governor urged his people to carry out their protests peacefully, without causing any harm, and also added that they have his blessing.
“Who agrees that we are not here to destroy property or steal from others? Mombasa is a big city, and we cannot burn it down. The police are here to protect those demonstrating. When I look at all of you, I see the peace and progress we want for Mombasa,” said Governor Nassir.
