Suspected gangster shot dead in Mombasa, four others escape

Police in Mombasa on Sunday gunned down a suspected gangster said to have been on the police watch list for involvement in criminal activities.

According to police, the suspect identified as Abdallah Swaleh alias Vumbi and four others armed with machetes were attacking residents at Wa Maka area when they were ambushed by police.

Likoni OCPD Benjamin Rotich said the suspects declined to surrender and attempted to attack the police officers, prompting them to open fire killing one of them on the spot as the others escaped.

Police recovered two pangas at the scene, with the body of the deceased being taken to the Coast General Hospital mortuary.

Last month, a security crackdown on criminal gangs was launched in Mombasa after innocent residents were viciously hacked by knife-wielding members of Wakali Wao gang.