Family, friends mourn four victims of deadly skirmishes

By PHILIP MWAKIO  and NGUMBAO KITHI

As security officers keep vigil in Mombasa to prevent return of chaos, friends and family members of three prison officers and a man killed during the chaos are still coming to terms with what happened to their beloved ones.

Joseph Ireri, 46, who hailed from Ishiari village, Mbeere North District was among those killed in the riots.

Ireri, a casual worker, met his death on Tuesday in Ziwani soon after Sheikh Aboud Rogo was killed. An attacker hacked him with a machete on the head. 

The Standard visited Ziwani Jua Kali Sheds near Ronald Ngala Memorial Primary School where Ireri worked, and met with his kin.

Mr Peter Mwaniki, a cousin, said Ireri was married and had five children. He narrated that Ireri was in a group of jua kali artisans, who attempted to repulse protesters from torching their business premises.

‘’He was ambushed and hacked with a machete. Ireri fell in a trench as he bled. It was difficult to assist him immediately because there was chaos all over,” he recounted.

On Thursday, his colleagues were organising a fundraiser to help settle his hospital bill and funeral expenses.

Died on the spot

Meanwhile, the identity of three prison officers killed in a grenade attack in Kisauni was established.

The slain officers were identified as Abdi Aziz, Alex Ngugi and Kipchumba Kipngetich.

Kipngetich was a month old at Shimo La Tewa Maximum Security Prison after being transferred from Kisii Prison early last month.

Both Aziz and Kipngetich succumbed to injuries while admitted to Jocham Hospital where they were rushed after the attack. Githome died on the spot.

The three were killed in a grenade and gun attack at Beersheeba in Kisauni after being deployed to reinforce regular and General Service Unit personnel.

Aziz, a Muslim, was buried in accordance with Islamic rights on Wednesday in Mombasa. He joined prison service in 2002 while Githome joined a year later.

The deceased’s colleagues at the prison were still in shock following the deaths.

“The death of the officers is shocking to us. This must never happen again,” one officer shouted angrily.

The prison officers noted the death of their colleagues should not be in vain and urged youths to maintain peace.

“The officers were young men, who served the public diligently. When they left prison to go and work, we did not expect that they will die,” an officer said.

The officers were organising a fundraiser for their colleagues that was to be held last evening. The function was to be led by Kenya National Commission on Human Rights commissioner Samuel Tororei.

 “We will hold a harambee this evening. We hope to raise money for our dear friends,” said Coast Prisons Commandant James Kodieny.

Kodieny noted besides the grenade attack, attackers, who were at an apartment shot other prison officers.

The prison boss demanded investigation into circumstances under which the officers met their death.

“The death of the officers from the grenade and the shooting raises serious questions. We must know what happened,” he said.

Six prison officers were injured during the riots. One officer was discharged while five remain at Jocham Hospital undergoing treatment.