‘Known gangster’ opens fire in Diani

By TOBIAS CHANJI

KWALE, KENYA: An armed man on a police most wanted list has opened fire on shoppers at Darling area in Diani, Kwale County sparking fears of a possible terrorist attack.

Local security sources are blaming the shooting that erupted at about 7.00pm on a man identified as Rama Mwachala who is described by police as armed and dangerous.

Eyewitnesses on the scene told The Standard Tuesday evening Rama who has escaped a police dragnet several time and has been linked to various armed crimes in the area, shot above shoppers’ heads and ordered all shops shut threatening to start a war with police.

“Shut down all the shops. The operation is about to begin,” he was quoted ordering terrified townspeople who quickly closed their business.

The state of anxiety was heightened when a power outage engulfed the area with no signs of police in sight.

Gilbert Nyunyi the AP commandant Diani told The Standard amid the shooting which lasted close to five minutes that police had been deployed to tackle the suspect.

“This man is wanted and we will get him,” said Nyunyi who added that “we are hunting him down right now and we will get him.”

Nyunyi declined to provide further details as local OCPD Jack Ekakuro declined to discuss the matter.

Police in this area have been unable to explain why they cannot arrest an armed man who walks freely and boasts readiness to confront.

Reports show that he displays his gun and a belt of bullets openly including at drinking dens.

On Saturday Rama who is in his early 30s, mysterious escaped a police trap and police who claimed to have surrounded his house ended up arresting his parents instead.

Little else is known about the suspect who was born in Tiwi but has lately lived in Diani where his parents also live. On Saturday Ekakuro said the suspect owns a gun illegally and has been linked to most recent armed robberies in the area.