Mombasa church attack death toll rises to 4

The death toll from the Mombasa church attack rose to four, following the Sunday morning shooting which has been blamed on Al Shabaab terrorists.

According to Mombasa County director of health Dr Khadija Shikely, the two died at Likoni and Coast general hospital. At least seventeen others were still admitted to hospital.

Two other people—a worshipper and a guard—died on the spot during the 10 am incident, that has put to question the preparedness and efficiency of Kenya’s security agencies after Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph Ole Lenku assured of maximum security on Saturday.

Soon after the attack, Interior Principal Secretary Mutea Iringo announced that police had “closed all exits in the area and are combing to arrest the criminals to face the law the public will be updated in due course.”

Speaking on telephone from Mombasa, Likoni police chief Robert Murethi said they have intensified security in the area, with a man hunt launched for the attackers who fled after opening fire at worshippers at the Joy Jesus church.

“We will definitely get them, we are working very closely with residents here,” Mureithi said.

Police Spokeswoman Gatiria Mboroki said so far four people had died while seventeen others were still admitted to hospitals. 

She told a press conference that a small bag had been found at the scene which had 36 rounds of ammunition believed to have been left behind by the attackers.

Police believe the attack was committed by Al Shabaab militants,following a warning in the last two months of impending major attacks in the coastal region, leading to the arrest of two of the suspects who were found with powerful explosives last week.

Al Shabaab militants have previously committed similar attacks in Nairobi, Mombasa and towns bordering Somalia — killing several people in what they said was a retaliation of the Kenyan military incursion in their lawless country.

The attack comes barely a week after two dangerous Al Shabaab terrorists were arrested with powerful explosives and weapons as they headed for a major attack in the coastal city.

Also read: Gunmen attack church killing two near Mombasa