Anxiety as gang kills four guards, steals property

BY PHILIP MWAKIO

Four guards were brutally murdered after armed thugs broke into Kongowea Wholesale Market in Mombasa County.

In what has been described as a baffling incident, a gang of over ten men armed with weapons made their way into the Mombasa Municipal Council, which is always guarded.

The thugs were targetting M-pesa kiosks and a Cooperative Bank of Kenya agent shop located in the expansive premises.

"They were mainly targeting M-pesa outlets. They ransacked them and stole valuables. They murdered guards who are hired to keep watch on stalls,’’ Kongowea Traders Wholesale Association chairman Peter Nyagah said.

Mr Gathecha Njogi, proprietor of Mifuko Stores, who also operates a Co-operative Bank agent shop, lost goods and cash worth Sh1 million.

"A guard who oversees security around this place was also murdered. I lost credit cards for Safaricom, Airtel and Orange worth Sh520,000 and cash deposit of Sh470,000,’’ he said.

Blood stains, torches, walking sticks and personal belongings believed to be property of the slain guards littered areas where the guards met their deaths. They were killed within a radius of 100 metres outside M-pesa booths. Kisauni OCPD Julius Wanjohi said police have launched investigation into the killings.

Unspecified value

Ms Rose Amollo, proprietor of Blue Diamond Investments Limited, which deals in mobile phones accessories said she lost goods of unspecified value. "I have just arrived and as you can see, my shop has been turned upside down. I am not in a position to state how much I have lost at the moment,’’ she said, as scene of crime detectives dusted her stall for possible clues.

Traders at the busy market, who arrived to open their businesses early morning, gathered together and spoke in hushed tones over the killings.

Mr John Muriuki, a trader whose shop was also broken into, urged the Provincial Administration to provide extra security and ensure that people go about their businesses without fear.