Tensions reached a boiling point in Mombasa today as protests against the controversial finance bill turned deadly when a business owner opened fire on demonstrators along Nyerere Road.
At least two people were reported injured in the shooting, which has sent shockwaves through the coastal city.
Eyewitnesses and police officials confirmed to The Star that the assailant, seemingly incensed by the disruption caused by the protests, discharged his firearm at close range amidst the crowd.
The victims, wounded in the incident, were swiftly transported to nearby hospitals for urgent medical attention.
Authorities moved swiftly to apprehend the shooter, though the motive behind the attack remains unclear at this time.
The shooting incident has exacerbated an already volatile situation in Mombasa, where demonstrations have disrupted normal life and commerce across various districts.
Earlier in the day, a section of protestors set ablaze several vehicles as they voiced their discontent with the government’s fiscal policies. Firefighters were deployed to extinguish the flames, preventing further escalation of the chaos.
Business activities ground to a halt in prominent areas like Mwembe Tayari and Nawala Center, where shops and offices closed their doors amidst the unrest. Police presence intensified around Mombasa State House on Mama Ngina Drive, with law enforcement deploying trucks and personnel to maintain order and prevent protestors from approaching sensitive government installations.
Throughout the day, clashes between demonstrators and security forces were reported as tear gas was deployed to disperse crowds and restore calm. The protests, initially peaceful in the morning, took a violent turn as the day progressed, with reports of additional altercations involving individuals allegedly instigating further disorder.
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