Extrajudicial killings in Mombasa are threatening to dampen the mood ahead of the holy month of Ramadhan, according to Haki Africa.
The human rights group says in May alone they have recorded five cases of extrajudicial killings in Nyali constituency.
Muslims will be fasting from Saturday or Sunday depending on the sighting of the moon.
Ramadhan commemorates the first revelation of the Quran to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) according to Islamic belief. It is supposed to be a month of peace, love and unity.
“But police want to spoil this through their acts of extrajudicial killings,” Haki Africa programmes officer Francis Auma told the Star.
Monday’s shooting of 21-year-old Anwar Athman at Maweni’s Kambi Kikuyu area in Nyali constituency is the latest incident recorded.
Athman was shot as he and his friend, Aidar, were coming back home from a night out, according to his mother Rehema Ali.
“It was around 1am when I heard them argue whether to go back to the club they were in to look for Athman’s phone which got lost there,” Rehema told Independent Police Oversight Authority officers at Haki Africa offices on Wednesday.
“Suddenly, I heard three of four gun shots. I didn’t know it was my son who was shot,” said Rehema.
Auma said police are using excessive force in dealing with crime.
“Anwar’s shooting is not an isolated incident. The shooting comes at a time when threats to civilians in the Kisauni and Nyali areas of Coastal Kenya have escalated in recent months,” Haki Africa says.
Security agents are unwilling to hold those responsible accountable, the group notes.
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According to the group, the magnitude and pattern of the killings suggest existence of a ‘shoot-to-kill policy’ by security agents.
Auma said the principles of national security in the Constitution, particularly Article 238(2) (b), provide that
national security shall be pursued in compliance with the law and human rights.
“Security agents are not exempt on any grounds whatsoever from observing the rule of law and the human rights of the people of Kenya, particularly right to life which is the core pillar of any democratic civilization,” said Auma.
On May 17, last week, Mohamed
Ibrahim Shee, Babu Mustafa Sheti, Juma
Abdalla Musa and two unknown people were gunned down at Bakarani area of Nyali constituency, according to Haki Africa.
Police said they were members of a criminal gang terrorising residents.
Haki Africa wants the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions to institute an inquest into the circumstances surrounding the killings and shootings of the three.
The group wants an independent investigation into the conduct of the Nyali police officers and the area chief.
Inspector General of Police Jospeh Boinnet, DPP Keriako Tobiko, IPOA and the National Police Service Commission must take their mandate seriously, Haki Africa says.