Youths drag corpse of suspected gangster into a burial, set it ablaze

There was drama at a teacher's funeral in Kilifi after boda boda operators dragged the corpse of her alleged killer into the homestead and set it ablaze.

Mathias Baraka was accused of shooting dead the teacher, Pauline Kazungu, last week. Boda boda operators picked the body of the suspect minutes after police officers had cornered him on Friday. As mourners scampered for safety police arrived and took away the charred corpse before the teacher's funeral resumed.

Kilifi County Police Commander Elias Ngetich said Baraka was shot dead after he fired at police when they confronted him and his accomplices while plotting to rob a shop. Mr Ngetich said the other suspects fled and a pistol was recovered from the corpse.

Baraka was notorious for attacking residents after sneaking into their homes while clad in Muslim women's gear (buibui). He killed Ms Kazungu after he stormed into her house and stole money.

Ngetich said a policewoman suspected to be Baraka's accomplice was transferred last week.