Fresh violence erupts in Kenya's coastal city over killing of radical preacher

Source:Xinhua Published: 2012-8-28 19:23:28

Dozens of people were seriously injured as fresh riots rocked Kenya's coastal city of Mombasa on Tuesday after the killing of terror suspect Aboud Rogo Mohammed by unknown thugs.

Some people were hospitalized in the demonstrations as rowdy youth blocked motorists from accessing several streets in the city. A man was injured after being hit by an object on the head.

He bled on forehead and at the back after rioters attacked him but police managed to restore calm in some parts of the city.

Spent cartridges shattered a window at Mount Kenya University where students were set to start examination throwing the whole class into confusion.

"Please pray for us. We are in a dangerous situation. A spent cartridge has just shattered a window at the Mount Kenya University and landed on my colleague. We are to start a paper now but there is a lot of confusion now. The riots have spilled up to the town," one of the students told Xinhua on Tuesday.

Rogo, facing terrorism-related charges in a Kenyan court, was shot dead by unknown gunmen on Monday who sprayed his car with bullets in Mombasa. Witnesses at the scene reported seeing at least 15 bullet wounds including one to the head.

Six people were in the car with Rogo, including his wife and daughter. His wife Haniya Said Saval was shot in the knee and was hospitalized.

Regional police commander, Aggrey Adoli said scores of General Service Unit and regular police officers have been deployed to restore normalcy in Mombasa's Majengo and central business district.

"We have deployed several policemen on the streets to help bring order. We will not allow riots to continue and disrupt the normal operations in the city," Adoli said.

Several anti riot police are camping at Salvation Army Church after angry youth threatened to burn down the church.

Many businesses have been shut down in the port city by the irate youths who are looting and destroying properties in protest of the killing of Rogo who was on the UN and US wanted terrorism list.

The police lobbed tear gas canisters and fired rubber bullets in Majengo areas to disburse the rioters who are determined to press on until the government launches serious investigations into the death of fiery Islamic preacher.

At least one person was killed and dozens others injured during riots on Monday after words spread around that the Islamic radical has been shot dead in Mombasa.

Late last month, Aboud Rogo and his co-accused Abubaker Shariff Ahmed had claimed that people they suspected to be police officers tried to abduct them while on their way to Nairobi to attend a court case.

The incident comes as Al-Shabaab have called on Muslims in Kenya to understand that they are being deliberately targeted because of their religious identity.

The insurgents called on the Muslims in Kenya to fully boycott the coming elections and not to be repeatedly deluded by the deceptive promises of the government.

Meanwhile, the National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK) has strongly condemned the atrocious and unwarranted attacks on five churches in Mombnasa on Monday.

Posted in: Africa

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