Police kill three men in Mombasa, allege they were wanted violent robbers

Curious Changamwe residents view the bodies of three robbers who were killed by police officers along Airport Road at Changamwe in Mombasa. One of the robbers is said to have been released on bond by the Mombasa Court. [PHOTO: KELVIN KARANI/STANDARD]

MOMBASA: Police in Mombasa have shot and three men they claimed are wanted robbers behind violent crime in the coastal city.

The three were killed on Thursday evening along the airport road in Changamwe, Mombasa County after a fierce exchange of fire and police allege they recovered two pistol, eight live rounds of ammunition and nine spent cartridges on them. No policemen was hurt or killed in the alleged shootout.

Police identified one of bodies as that of Gabriel Mutemi Mwema they said is a serial robber out on a Sh200, 000 bond and the other of a Murea Abdi who was also on top of the police watch list as one of the "dangerous armed robber" that has committed murder and other crimes in Mombasa.

The other suspected shot in the head and his brain oozed out and spread on the windscreen of a Mitsubishi KBX 920M which police believe was hired by the thugs to use in committing robberies in the city.

Changamwe OCPD Joseph Muthee said the suspected were driving along the Airport road but they disobeyed the police who had flagged them to stop and opened fire at the officers.

"We do not know where they were heading to but at around 3PM, the three robbers were shot after they opened fire at the police officers who had asked them to stop," said Muthee

Police also recovered two identification cards, a laptop and a tablet, some clothes and shoes, body lotions and even two gas cylinders had scattered at the scene.

Muthee said Mwema had recently been charged for house breaking and his case was supposed to be heard on November 13.

Though the suspects were driving towards the airport, police claim that there destination was still unknown.

He also asked the judiciary to be consider the amount of bonds they give to robbery suspects because some of the are lenient.

"The judiciary should be so harsh when administering these bonds. Like the other suspect had just been charged with house breaking and here he is again he has been shot after police foiled their plans to commit another robbery offense," he said.

Muthee also warned other criminals that police will not rest until they were apprehended.