One shot dead as armed thugs hijack matatu in Mombasa

Police on Sunday morning shot and killed one suspect who was part of a five-man gang that had hijacked a matatu at Sunlight area in Kisauni, Mombasa County.

Mombasa County Police Commander Julius Kiragu said the gang armed with crude weapons including machetes, flagged down the matatu at around 4am and then proceeded to smash the windows, injuring a number of passengers.

Police who arrived at the scene gunned down one of the suspects while his four accomplices escaped on foot some with gunshot wounds.

According to the police commander, the driver and four passengers sustained injuries and were admitted at the Coast General Hospital.

A manhunt has since been launched for the suspects on the run.