Tension is high in Embakasi in Nairobi as residents suspect the return of outlawed Mungiki sect is believed to be behind the killing of a butcher and the torching of tens of houses and shops on Wednesday.

More than 50 youth stormed Muradi, chased people away and set on fire seven kiosks and an unknown number of houses. Police said they were avenging the killing of a young man, John Mwangi, on Saturday over land.

Mwangi was taken to Kenyatta National Hospital after the attack where he died.

Chaos broke out in the area on Wednesday morning and lasted until 5pm, when the police and General Service Unit officers were deployed.

VACATE HOUSES

Residents said the youth went to the area in the morning and asked the residents to vacate their houses and business premises.

“They gave us 10 minutes to do so and as we were parking our things, they took some valuables and threatened to kill us if we protested,” Mr Paul Okoth, a resident of Embakasi, said.

During the protests, two people, Joseph Kibe and Duncan Mugendo were seriously injured and taken to Kenyatta National Hospital.

Police officers arrested seven youth suspected to have been behind the chaos.

The officers kept vigil in the area and maintained patrols, amid fears by residents that the marauding group would return to torch more houses.

Source: Daily Nation