Death reported in chaos in Kenya's Mombasa

A policeman guards the van in which Aboud Rogo Mohammed was shot and killed in, along Mombasa Malindi highway in Kenya's coastal city of Mombasa August 27, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

MOMBASA, Kenya - At least one person died on Monday in chaos in Kenya's coastal city of Mombasa after Islamic cleric Aboud Rogo Mohammed was killed earlier in the day.

Rogo, who is on the US and UN terror list, was killed at midday by unknown assaults who shot him dead in the vehicle along the Mombasa-Malindi highway.

The pro-Rogo protesters invaded churches, looted property and set ablaze a Salvation Army church in Majengo in Mombasa.

"It is you policemen who have killed him, we don't want a postmortem or any help from you," shouted Haniya Said Sagar, wife to Rogo who was also in the same vehicle when her husband was shot dead.

Haniya added that she was being taken to hospital for check after she had miscarriage two weeks ago. Chaos erupted at major points in Mombasa including Posta, Kongowea, Majengo and Saba Saba areas, where youths are looting and stealing properties.

The joint security forces had a rough time to disperse the angry youth prompting them to lob tear gas canisters at the demonstrations who were largely Muslim youth.

Rogo was on the US and UN sanction list for allegedly backing Al-Shabaab militia from Somalia, who were blamed for the bomb and grenade attacks on Kenyan soil including several abductions of foreigners in the East African nation.

The terror suspect was accused along with two other Kenyans of helping the insurgents obtain funding and recruit new members in Kenya and of plotting several attacks in the coastal city of Mombasa, which is frequented by foreigners.

Rogo was arrested and arraigned in court several times, the latest being in April when he was charged in Mombasa court, but denied being in possession of firearms with intent to commit murder.

He was also charged with being in possession of dangerous weapons on January 29 at Kanamai village in Kilifi in circumstances that indicate he intended to commit murder.

The weapons were listed as an AK47 rifle, 113 rounds of ammunition, two hand grenades, two pistols and 102 detonators.

There has been heightened security around the country with security agencies at an unprecedented state of alert amid the latest reports that Al-Shabaab has planned attacks against Kenya and foreign interests in the country.

The Al-Shabaab fighters have been responsible for a string of abductions of foreigners and grenade attacks that occurred late last year, prompting the Kenyan troops to fight the militia group into Somalia.

The militia group is very angry with Kenya for sending troops into Somalia to attack its compounds and kill its fighters, but Nairobi said its military action in Somalia is only for self defense.

Nairobi also blames Al-Shabaab for the recent kidnappings of four foreigners, fearing its tourism and business will be destroyed if it allows the insurgents to go on unchallenged.

The police have also called on Kenyans to be vigilant and report any suspicious individuals to security personnel.

During the chaos, at Mewa hospital, where some victims of the shootout were admitted, a vehicle belonging to a Muslim lobby group was pelted with stones when the angry relatives and friends mistakenly thought it was ferrying journalists to the hospital.

Muslims for Human Rights (Muhuri) Executive Director Hussein Khalid said his two officers Topister Juma and Shirleen Njeri were injured.

"They thought my officers were members of the press. Muslim law prohibits an injured woman to be photographed and that is why they chased them away," Khalid said.

The demonstrators vandalized vehicles, four churches in Majengo and Saba Saba areas. Rioters also crossed up to North Coast and gone to Mshomoroni, Bombolulu, Bamburi areas where they destroyed property of unknown values.

In town, major streets have also been blocked by bon fires. The victim who was killed at Majengo area has been identified as Joseph Mureithi, a jua kali artisan.

Witnesses said Rogo was in the company of his wife and three other people when their car was sprayed by people in the speeding car.