Nine held over killing of AP in Diani forest

Police in Diani have arrested nine suspects after the murder of an Administration Police officer in a forest yesterday. The officer’s throat was slit by a gang that he and some 14 other colleagues allegedly found taking an oath in Tiribe. The suspects, who fled to different directions, were found with paraphernalia and a Mombasa Republican Council flag.

Kwale DCIO Mwenda Ethaiba said five suspects had earlier on been arrested at Dzombo forest.They were in a group of about 50 to 60 people who had been ferried to the forest in Msambweni by a war. “We have also detained the station wagon that was parked near the forest, together with several weapons including pangas, which were found with the suspects and we are still interrogating them to establish what exactly they had intended to do there,” said Ethaiba.

The official said some identity cards belonging to people from different parts of Coast province including Mombasa, Kilifi, Malindi and Kwale, were also recovered. “We acted on a tip off from the public and went out to make sure we get the suspects. We are sending a strong message to those bent on breaking the law that if they don’t surrender, we shall deal with them,” he added.

The slain officer, who is the rank of a constable, was among others who were responding to a crime incident in Tiribe, a few kilometers from where the other five suspects were arrested on Thursday night. The AP commandant Coast region, Jonnes Kavoi, confirmed that one of his officers had been slained, adding that his rifle was also stolen.

“It is true our officer, Mwamburi from Taita, was killed in the line of duty but we have mobilized officers who are combing the forest to arrest suspects. We have several in custody. His colleagues had left for different directions pursuing the other suspects but heard some screams, on going back, they found him dead with his throat slit open,” said Kavoi.

According to the Lukore area chief, Justus Mulinge, the group was found with the MRC flag and other paraphernalia. However, MRC chairman Omar Mwamnuadzi denied the claims, saying MRC cannot be held responsible and that it does not have members in that area. Omar said MRC cannot engage in such acts and asked the government to look for the attackers instead of shifting blame.