County officer killed in armed attack at Likoni checkpoint in Kenya

A Mombasa County enforcement officer was killed early Monday when a gang armed with machetes attacked a cess collection checkpoint in Likoni, Kenya. The officer, identified as Omar Rashid, was attacked at about 3.40 am at Barabara ya Mchanga, where county enforcement officers and two Administration Police officers were manning the collection point.

Mombasa County Police Commander Stella Cherono said the attackers used crude weapons, and investigations have been launched to establish the motive and identify those responsible.

According to a police report from Inuka Police Station, officers at the checkpoint fired several rounds into the air to scare off the attackers but were overwhelmed. An Administration Police officer, Wilfred Amin, sustained deep cuts to his hand and a gunshot wound to his left thigh; his AK-47 rifle and 30 rounds of ammunition were seized.

County enforcement officer Ali Kibuyi Buyi sustained deep cuts to his head and right thigh, while another officer, Bahiya Hassan, escaped unharmed.

The injured officers were taken to Diani Beach Hospital for treatment, while Omar's body was moved to the Coast General mortuary. Cherono said the number of attackers had not been established, though initial estimates suggested about five people may have been involved.

No arrests had been made by the time of publication, and police were working to recover the stolen firearm.