Man fatally stabbed in mosque during prayers in Lamu county

Crime scene /FILE

Police are investigating the fatal stabbing of a 33-year-old man following a confrontation inside a mosque during midday prayers in Faza, Lamu county.

The deceased, identified as Khalid Maka, died after he was allegedly attacked inside Faza Jamia Mosque on Wednesday May 13 during Thuhur prayers, police and witnesses said.

According to police, a scuffle broke out after two men allegedly attempted to force the deceased out of the mosque over a dispute linked to the management of the facility.

Investigators said one of the suspects, allegedly held the deceased from behind while a second suspect, allegedly stabbed him on the right side of the neck, inflicting deep wounds near the collar bone and on the left wrist.

The victim was rushed to Faza Sub County Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Police officers from Faza police station later arrested the two suspects. Detectives handling the murder said one of the suspects was found hiding in his bathroom allegedly attempting to dispose of the suspected murder weapon in a toilet.

Detectives recovered the weapon together with blood-stained clothes he was reportedly trying to wash.

The second suspect was arrested while hiding inside his bedroom, police added.

Authorities said the motive of the attack is believed to be disagreements over the management of Faza Jamia Mosque.

A postmortem examination was conducted before the body was released to family members for burial.

The two were detained pending arraignment, police said.

Meanwhile, police in Kaloleni Sub-county, Kilifi county, are investigating a sudden death incident after the body of an unidentified middle-aged man was found outside a condemned house in Sina Mola village.

According to police, the incident was reported on Wednesday morning, prompting officers from Mariakani police station to visit the scene.

Police confirmed finding the lifeless body of the man lying outside the abandoned structure.

Residents told investigators that the deceased had recently arrived in the village and was believed to have been suffering from mental illness.

The scene was processed and documented before the body was moved to Kilifi Sub County Hospital mortuary awaiting identification and postmortem examination to establish the cause of death.

Elsewhere in Lari, Kiambu county, the body of a man who had been reported missing was recovered from Thiririka River. Police said John Wabara, 39, was reported missing on May 4.

The body was decomposed when it was recovered on May 13 evening and moved to the local mortuary for other procedures.

In Amukura area, Busia county, a body of a man was found on river Walachi after a suspected drowning incident.

The body was naked and trapped on the river bank when it was found, police said of the Wednesday incident.

The body had no visible injuries when it was found and moved to the mortuary pending other procedures.