Relative calm returns to Kenya's Mombasa

Tour operators are seen beside a camel in the deserted Bamburi public beach near the Indian Ocean in the Kenyan coastal city of Mombasa, August 30, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

MOMBASA, Kenya - Relative calm returned in Kenya's port city of Mombasa on Thursday as security forces were beefed up after clashes between police and youths rocked the city after Monday killing of controversial Muslim cleric Aboud Rogo.

Kenya's military sealed off the Mombasa International Show and took control where the President Mwai Kibaki had come to open the agricultural show as other police patrolled Mombasa city's highways, bringing back sanity.

Regional police commander, Aggrey Adoli, told Xinhua on Thursday that the normal situation has been restored to the situation with no single case of violence witnessed in the city and its outcast on Thursday.

"For the recent two days we have witnessed the number of cases of violence riots, hooliganism and looting going down," Adoli said.

The east African nation's coastal towns are the backbone of the country's thriving tourism industry, which has been hit by the fear of terror attacks and the kidnapping of foreigners by Somali pirates from resorts near the border with Somalia.

Kenya's tourism has suffered a decline in the number of tourists arriving since September 2011 when the Somali militant group, Al-Shabaab, carried out the kidnappings of tourists in the Lamu archipelago and the kidnapping of the Spanish volunteers in Dadaab Refugee Camp.

The port city, the capital Nairobi and other parts of Kenya have suffered a series of grenade attacks since Kenya sent troops into Somalia last year to try to pursue Al-Shabaab insurgents it blames for a surge in violence and kidnappings threatening tourism.

Police have termed the Wednesday attack of police officers where officers were seriously injured as cowardly, an indication those behind the violence are courting for war.

The Kenya's military and their navy counterparts took strategic positions on roof tops and ground where the show was held, attended by hundreds of Mombasa residents.

Kibaki who was officiating at the show warned his government will deal ruthlessly with criminal acts after four people lost their lives during the riots that had rocked the city on Monday and Tuesday.

Kibaki said security forces will remain on a high alert to thwart any attempts by criminal forces to disrupt relative peace in Mombasa and ensure that those breaking the law are dealt with in accordance with the law.

"We must maintain peace which is the foundation of democracy. We won't allow any negative forces to interfere with our peace," Kibaki warned a day after security officers engaged youths in Mombasa in running battles.

Kibaki has reminded all Kenyans to always maintain peace and security which is the foundation of the country's prosperity and democracy.

He observed that during the just concluded national conference on peaceful elections, it was unanimously resolved that Kenyans should embrace, coexist with and tolerate each other as one people and one nation.

The controversial Islamic preacher, Aboud Rogo who was facing charges of illegal possession of weapons and recruiting for the Somali militant group Al-Shabaab, was shot to death in his car on Monday while he was driving outside Mombasa.

Violent riots erupted across the Mombasa town center and continued on Tuesday immediately after his burial on Monday afternoon.

Cars were set alight, several churches were vandalized, and at least four people have so far been killed. Police have since arraigned 24 people in court charged in connection with the riots.

Majengo area believed to be strong hold of murdered Muslim cleric was put under curfew on Thursday as contingent of police officers camped the area since Wednesday night to ensure law and order is followed.

The officers were also spotted patrolling at Kisauni area that witnessed the deadly clashes that left three police officers killed on Tuesday as they responded to a distress call after a church was torched.

Meanwhile, Kenya's police have issued a high alert over possible chaos on Friday in all major towns including Nairobi and Mombasa following the killing of Muslim cleric Aboud Rogo.

Police spokesman Erick Kiraithe said although they expect Muslims to hold peaceful demonstrations, they will not overlook things since criminals are likely to take advantage of the current situation.

He said the Muslims have right to demonstrate but must notify police in advance and ensure to maintain law and order.

Muslims are planning to use the Friday prayers and hold street protest in major cities with fears that they might turn violent.

Adoli said they have not been notified about any planned protest on Friday and are prepared to deal with any eventuality should the situation turn violent.