Gunmen attack Soweto slums in Mombasa killing three people

Mombasa, Kenya: At least three people were Sunday night shot dead and 11 others are admitted in hospital with wounds after unknown gunmen opened fire indiscriminately in Soweto slums, Likoni in Mombasa.

Police say they are yet to know the attackers and their motive. The three gunmen escaped on foot soon after the 9 pm incident.

Officials in the area said among those killed is an 11 year old boy who was walking home at the time of the attack and the injured are admitted at local hospitals in stable condition.

“They have multiple injuries following the shooting,” said Coast police County Commander Robert Kitur.

Witnesses said the attackers arrived there armed with rifles and opened fire in the residential area before escaping.

The motive of the attack is yet to be known and tension remains high.

Kitur said they are investigating the incident with a motive of making an arrest.

The region has recently been the target of attacks in the recent past leaving over 100 people dead and several wounded.

Politicians in the area blame police for the situation saying they are unable to contain the crime. The hardest hit is Lamu County where gunmen have been having a field day in the past two months killing and maiming locals. Many remain internally displaced in the attacks that have prompted the government to impose a curfew between 6.30pm and 6.30 am until August 20.

Somalia’s Al-Shabaab militants are largely blamed for the attacks.