Detectives are interrogating an investor who on Tuesday during a peaceful anti-government demos shot and severely injured two protesters along Nyerere avenue in Mombasa.
The protesters had traversed the Mombasa island from Moi avenue to Sabasaba area along Jomo Kenyatta avenue and along Nkrumah road.
However, on approaching Caffee Point, a restaurant along the Nyerere avenue that connects Fontanella round-about and the busy Likoni ferry channel, the owner of the restaurant known as Aden Mansoor fired at the peaceful protesters claiming he was guarding his business.
The investor severely injured two protesters who were rushed to Pandya private hospital and the Coast teaching and referral hospital.
The businessman’s reckless actions triggered heated reactions where the protesters responded with stones and destroyed the entrance of the restaurant that has in the past been frequented by dignitaries among them President William Ruto, his Deputy Rigathi Gachagua, Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Sharif Nassir among other top government officials.
The angry youth burnt five vehicles parked outside the restaurant one belonging to Mansoor.
Human rights defenders condemned the incident, accusing the investor for recklessly using his firearm on peaceful demonstrators.
“The different groups of youth and human rights defenders were in peaceful protests and none of the police officers used teargas canisters or their firearms against the peaceful protesters and they escorted us through the protesters. How comes such a businessman can just recklessly shoot at the unarmed youth?” posed MUHURI Rapid Response Officer, Francis Auma.
Auma, urged police to take urgent actions against the Caffee Point owner.
“We demand an immediate arrest and disarmament of the investor. We do not entertain impunity in this country. His actions can trigger ugly response from the public,” warned Auma.
Action
He called for decisive actions against the businessman.
In response, the DCI in a statement said, “Following today’s 1.30pm unfortunate shooting at Ganjoni area of Mombasa by a civilian firearm holder and the alleged owner of QAFFEE POINT hotel that left some persons injured, the said shooter has since been arrested, disarmed and placed in custody,”
The statement further stated that the two injured persons have been taken to hospital and are receiving urgent medical attention.
“The DCI thanks members of the public who acted fast to assist the injured to hospital, and at the same time appeals to Mombasa people to be calm on this case as necessary legal action is being taken,” further read the statement.
