Mombasa businessman filmed shooting at protesters lost Ksh.18M property

Osman Mohamud Mohammed the owner of Qaffe Point restaurant was captured on camera shooting at protestors but those familiar with the incident say he was defending his business. 

The now viral video that has been making rounds on social media shows a man, now identified as Osman Mohamud Mohammed shooting at a group of people who were pelting stones at him and his business.

According to those familiar with the incident, the group of people were alleged goons who attacked the premises. 

“People were having lunch here, when youthful protestors, who had been infiltrated by goons, came and attacked Qaffe Point, and the windows were smashed as people ate their lunch,” said Qaffe Point associate Abdikadir Dekow.

The owner of the restaurant was inside; his life was at risk and that of his customers as people were pelting stones and throwing crude weapons in their possession.

The owner, Mr Mohammed came out and shot in the air just to disperse the crowd but they kept coming and coming until good Samaritans came and picked him up.

Losses incurred run into millions.

“The loss is quite big, Ksh.18million. His baking machinery is gone; cooking machinery is gone, he approximated to be Ksh.18 million,” noted Dekow.

A Chef, Saidi Makoti added: “Wamehariba kila kitu wameiba… mtungi wa gas, oven….katiba inasema tuandamane peacefully, kwa nini uharibu mali ya mtu.”

Saidi is one of the 75 staff members employed at the restaurant and now his 6-year employment hangs in the balance, same as his co-workers.

“We are 75 staff wote wakienda nyumbani itakuwaje, asipotulipa tutaenda wapi, si tutakuwa wezi,” Saidi added.

“Saa hizi sina kazi niko nyumbani, what should I do? Niende niibe? Sikuzaliwa mwizi nakula jasho langu.”

Religious leaders, while empathizing with the losses are calling on the police to do their job and for the youth to accept the president's olive branch on dialogue.

“Iwapo leo mahakama imewazuia maafisa wa usalama wasijaribu kuzuia yanayotokea kwenye maandamano. Wakenya, nafasi za katiba, shule watoto… polisi wameshindwa, hivi mwataka kufanya kenya Haiti,” Organising Secretary, Mohamed Khalifa said.

The two people injured in the shooting incident continue to receive treatment at Coast General Hospital.