Human rights activists condemn fiery cleric’s killing

By Ishaq Jumbe and Stanley Mwahanga

Mombasa, Kenya: Civil society groups in Mombasa have issued a three-day ultimatum to the Government to demonstrate commitment in addressing insecurity in the region without resorting to the extra-judicial killings.

The human rights activists also declared that they will suspend security meetings between religious leaders and State security organs over what they termed as the Government’s in ability to tackle insecurity at the Coast.

The move comes a day after firebrand Muslim cleric Sheikh Abubakar Shariff alias Makaburi was gunned down outside the Shanzu law courts by unknown assailants.

Haki Afrika Executive Director Hussein Khalid said it was unfortunate that civil society and religious leaders were constructively engaging youth in a bid to tackle insecurity, only for Makaburi to be assassinated.

“He (Makaburi) was at the epicentre of these dialogues and he even encouraged the youth to be involved but the rising insecurity has scuttled the talks,” said Khalid.

Khalid said they were perturbed by killings of the terrorism suspect, only days after the county administration issued a shoot to kill directive.

Tetea Initiative’s Al Amin Kimathi also condemned the killings and complained that they were getting out of hand.

“The modus operandi of these assassinations indicate strongly that the Government security agents have an uphill task in exonerating themselves from these atrocities,” said Kimathi.

Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims Coast Branch Chairman Muhdhar Khitami termed the killing barbaric.

“We have expended a lot of energy in a bid to engage the Government but nothing meaningful has come of it. The President may have pledged that security was his priority... but apparently his lieutenants are mishandling the whole issue,” he said.