One person sustained a gunshot wound after a bodyguard attached to Mombasa Governor Ahmednassir Nassir allegedly opened fire during a clash with youths chanting 'Wantam' slogans on Friday, August 21.
According to Mombasa County Police Commander Stella Cherono, the youths interrupted Nassir's address with their chants during his public engagement in Changamwe.
Cherono stated the situation escalated when the victims allegedly became violent, prompting the Governor's security detail to respond swiftly.
"They chanted 'Wantam,' and as the Governor wanted to address them, they became violent. That is where the fracas started," the Mombasa Police Commander explained.
Nonetheless, she reiterated that the National Police Service (NPS) does not condone acts of violence, and confirmed that law enforcement officers had launched investigations into the matter.
One of the eyewitnesses claimed that had the people not intervened, the gunshot would have been fatal.
"The bodyguard drew his weapon, but I tried to tell him to let the youth be. The bullet was to hit the victim on his upper body, but hit him on his leg after the people confronted him," he claimed.
Two other people were injured in the fracas. They were ferried to the Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital for medical treatment.
Mombasa County residents condemned the use of excessive force against civilians, especially by VIP bodyguards. They argued that public gatherings and political engagements must not always result in bloodshed.
We condemn any use of excessive force and firearms against civilians. Public gatherings and political activity must not result in bloodshed.
Consequently, they called upon the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA)to investigate the incident. They further demanded that the police in Mombasa County secure evidence and protect eyewitnesses.
Victims have demanded that the Mombasa County Government cover their medical bills.
The incident came just a month after Rashid Charo, Youth Affairs Principal Secretary Fikirini Jacobs' bodyguard, was accused of shooting dead a youth mobiliser, Cecil Ouma, during an event in Nairobi.
The police arrested Charo and charged him in court, where he pleaded not guilty. His defence team argued that he acted in self-defence and secured his release on a Ksh20,000 cash bond.
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