County officer killed in gang attack at Likoni cess collection point
What you need to know:
- The attack occurred at Barabara ya Mchanga area where two police officers and two county enforcement officers were on duty.
- The attackers reportedly overwhelmed the officers despite attempts to repulse them by firing several rounds into the air.
A brazen dawn attack by a suspected criminal gang at a Mombasa County cess collection point in Likoni, which left a county inspectorate officer dead, has raised concerns ahead of the December festive season and subsequent 2027 General Election campaign period.
The 3:40am attack occurred at Barabara ya Mchanga area where two police officers and two county enforcement officers were on duty.
According to a police incident report, officers from Inuka Police Station which is three kilometres away rushed to the scene after hearing gunshots while on patrol.
The attackers reportedly overwhelmed the officers despite attempts to repulse them by firing several rounds into the air.
Mombasa County Police Commander Stella Cherono said three officers were receiving treatment at the Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital (CGTRH).
“Three of those who were injured are receiving treatment at CGTRH, including our police officer and two enforcement officers from the county government. The suspected criminals were armed with crude weapons which they used to attack the people manning the cess point,” she said during a press briefing in Likoni.
During the confrontation, the attackers snatched an AK-47 rifle loaded with 30 rounds of ammunition from a police constable after inflicting deep cuts on his hand and shooting him in the left thigh.
County enforcement officer Omari Mzerera died after sustaining a gunshot wound to the back, with the bullet exiting through his chest. Another enforcement officer, Mr Ali Kibuyi Buyi, sustained deep cuts to the head and right thigh, while a fourth officer, Bahiya Hassan, escaped without injuries.
The injured officers were initially rushed to Diani Beach Hospital for treatment, while Mr Mzerera’s body was taken to the Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital mortuary after a doctor confirmed his death.
Mombasa County Governor Abdulswamad Nassir (second right) with County Commissioner Mohamed Noor (right) and Likoni MP Mishi Mbioko among other Leaders visit officers from Mombasa County Inspectorate and Administration Police who were injured by attackers at Likoni Cess Station in Mombasa on October 26, 2026.
Ms Cherono said the motive for the attack had not been established and investigations were underway.
“We have not established what was stolen, which is why I am saying we do not know the motive. The officers were manning a county government cess point. They included two Administration Police officers and two enforcement officers from the county government. They were attacked by a number of people whose reasons we do not know,” she said.
Transport and Infrastructure County Executive Committee Member (CECM) Daniel Manyala said officers from the county inspectorate department had visited the scene and recovered personal belongings of the officers who were manning the cess collection point, including mobile phones and wallets.
“We need urgent investigations into this incident because it is not a normal attack. It appears these people knew exactly what they were doing. They did not steal anything from our officers,” he said.
The incident came at a time when concerns have been raised by residents and local leaders about re-emerging criminal gang activities in the port city especially in Kisauni, Likoni and parts of Nyali and Mvita Sub-Counties.
Last week, three people were attacked by panga-wielding criminals in Kisauni Sub-County.
Likoni Member of Parliament Mishi Mboko, who spoke after visiting victims of the Monday attack at Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital, described it as a daring ambush.
“They were so daring, which suggests that this is an established and fearless gang. How can criminals attack a place guarded by armed police officers? These are very dangerous criminals, not just ordinary gang members,” she said.
Meanwhile, family members of the deceased were overcome with grief as they struggled to come to terms with the loss of their loved one.
"I feel so bad at the moment and the only thing I can say is that my God Subanha Wa ta'ala punish those who did this to my son. I also want to see them behind bars so that they can face justice," Mr Mohamed Ali whose son was attacked said.
Mr Musa Omari, whose nephew was killed in the attack, said he received the first phone call while leaving the mosque after morning prayers, informing him that his sister’s son had been hacked to death.
“I received three phone calls, but it was the third caller who informed me that he was no more,” he said.
He added that his nephew had been working with the county government for some time and had been deployed to various cess collection points. The victim succumbed to deep cuts on the head and his hands, according to his family.
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