Police in Mombasa have launched investigations into the shooting of three youths during a public sensitisation meeting convened by Governor Abdulswamad Nassir at Bomu Stadium in Changamwe Sub-County.
The incident occurred during a meeting to sensitise residents about the newly unveiled Stawisha Fund when a group of youths reportedly disrupted the gathering while chanting the slogan “one term”, in an apparent reference to the governor.
Mombasa County Police Commander Stella Jerono confirmed that three people were shot and wounded, several others injured, while three vehicles were damaged during the ensuing confrontation.
The injured youths were initially taken to Mikindani Hospital before being transferred to Coast Teaching and Referral Hospital for further treatment.
Jerono said police were investigating both the disruption of the meeting and the circumstances surrounding the shooting, including the identity of those who fired the guns.
“We want to dig deep into the matter and know exactly who these persons are because we will trace them and get them,” she said.
According to the police commander, the youths became unruly after chanting the “one-term governor” slogan as Nassir addressed the gathering.
“They chanted the one-term governor slogan, and they became violent when the governor wanted to address them, and that is when the fracas started,” Jerono said.
She, however, said police would not condone violence and would investigate the incident to establish what happened and hold those responsible to account.
Among those wounded was a matatu driver who sustained gunshot injuries during the confrontation.
But an eyewitness gave a different account of the events, claiming the youths had been seeking an opportunity to speak to the governor when they were confronted by members of his security detail.
The witness alleged that one of the bodyguards drew a firearm as the youths were being pushed away.
“My colleague was in front and wanted to talk with the governor while he was being pushed by the bodyguard who withdrew a gun,” the witness said.
He claimed he intervened after seeing the firearm being pointed at his colleague, fearing that he would be shot in the chest.
“I grabbed him away. The bodyguard, in anger, started aiming at his legs. Why use a live bullet?” he said.
The witness questioned why the youths were allegedly prevented from engaging the governor and said the use of firearms was disproportionate.
The conflicting accounts are expected to form part of the police investigation, with several officers already recording statements from witnesses and other individuals present at the meeting.
Jerono also directed officers assigned to protect politicians to exercise restraint and operate within the law while dealing with members of the public.
“We should avoid violence and ensure that we leave the public to ensure that there is peace,” she said.
Activists Francis Auma, Walid Walid Sketty, Julias Ogogoh and Evans Momanyi have condemned the incident and called for all those found culpable to be prosecuted, regardless of their political affiliation or position.
The incident has also revived concerns over the conduct of security personnel attached to political leaders in Mombasa.
It comes against the backdrop of an unresolved incident in Likoni in which a security guard attached to Likoni MP Mishi Mboko was captured on video firing into the air. No action had been publicly reported in connection with that incident by the time of the Changamwe shooting.
Police have promised to establish who fired the shots, why the shooting occurred and whether the actions of the security personnel involved were justified.
Jerono said those found to have broken the law would be arrested and charged.
By the time of publication, the Mombasa County Government had not issued an official statement on the shooting.
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