Kenyan Police kill al-Shabab suspect in coastal region

Kenyan security officers on Friday killed a wanted al-Shabab suspect in the coastal town of Kwale.

Kwale county Police Commander, Tom Odero, said Mohamed Rashid Mwatsumiro was shot dead in Ngombeni village, following the killing of two people, three weeks ago in the region.

Mwatsumiro was a wanted gang leader and terror operative, Odero said.

Odero added that a Gluck pistol used in carrying out robberies within Likoni was discovered from the gang leader’s house.

According to the Police, security officers raided the home of the suspect, who fired at the police officers, leading to an exchange of fire.

Odero explained that during the ensuing shootout, one officer was injured and is receiving treatment in hospital.

Police said Mwatsumiro’s gang had been behind insecurity since 2016, including an attack on a police camp, and the beheading of a religious leader on Aug. 10.

The gang was also linked to the killing of a Kenyan navy officer in Likono in August and various robberies at petrol stations and mobile money transfer service outlets, also in Likoni.