3 Nyumba Kumi officials shot dead by suspected al Shabaab returnees

Three Nyumba Kumi officials were on Sunday morning shot dead in their homes at Bongwe Village in Kwale County by suspected al-Shabaab returnees.

The three, village elder Juma Mwanyota, religious leader Hassan Mwasanite, and a member of the Nyumba Kumi initiative in the village, Mohammed Manguze, were shot dead in their homes by a woman-led gang at about 2am.

This comes barely two weeks after a reformed al Shabaab returnee who had been integrated back into the community was shot dead at his home in Shamu.

Residents are now living in fear following the killings and want the government to intervene and salvage the situation.

Hamisi Mwero, a resident in the area, said villagers want to know why the assailants target only village elders and Nyumba Kumi officials, and cast doubts over the ability of security officials to ensure the confidentiality of sources.

“The government should come clean and tell us why the elders are being killed. Is it because they volunteer security information?” he posed.

Coast Region Coordinator Nelson Marwa, Kwale County Governor Salim Mvurya, Kwale County Commissioner Kutswa Olaka, Kwale County Women Representative Zainab Chidzuga among other area leaders and security heads visited homes of the victims.

Marwa accused security officials in Msambweni-Kwale for “sleeping on the job” following the killings saying: “The incident happened when we have security officers who are equipped with all required facilities to protect citizens.”

He warned that massive transfer of security officers who have failed to deliver on their mandate would follow after the killings.

Marwa directed Coast Regional Police Commander Julius Wanjohi to organise a peaceful crackdown and ensure that the suspects believed to be behind the murder are arrested. He further called on residents to cooperate with the police by giving information.

On her part, Chidzuga said police should do their best and arrest the suspects.

“We should not be told all the time that police are investigating, we want to see results,” she said.

Speaking at the same time, Salim Mvurya urged residents to embrace peace and shun violence.

The three bodies were taken to Msambweni Hospital for medical examination and were later on returned to their respective families who buried them according to the Islamic religion.

By Lawrence Ng’ang’a