A member of Nyumba Kumi leadership in Mukuru slums, Nairobi, was killed by a gang that was on a revenge mission in a war on drug trafficking and consumption.
Wycliffe Obara was attacked by about seven men who were wearing masks and slashed to death in his house on Saturday evening.
They were hiding their faces but some locals could identify them, police said. This has sparked counter attacks from other groups amid fears the issue may get out of hand.
Locals told police the man was attacked by a gang that was revenging an earlier operation in the area that saw a suspected drugs den destroyed.
The gang waylaid the deceased and slashed him in the head and legs leaving him for dead.
He was picked up and rushed to Kenyatta National Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival, police said.
Nairobi police boss Adamson Bungei said the gang escaped towards Mukuru Kwa Reuben area after the incident.
On Saturday at about 3am, a group of unknown people invaded the parking yard of Kimathi Maina who is a suspect in the murder of Obara and set it on fire.
The group also set Maina’s car on fire in what police believe was revenge mission.
Maina is at large and police say they are looking for him for grilling over the murder of Obara.
There are fears the counter attacks will continue in a revenge mission.
Police say they have established Obara and other local leaders had earlier on raided a drug den in the area and destroyed it.
The area chief had earlier led other members of Nyumba Kumi in demolishing structures they claimed were used in selling drugs and suspected stolen goods.
Bungei said police are pursuing the gang behind the attack and that they are determined to address the drugs menace in the area.
Drugs consumption and trading has been on the rise in the area amid calls for action to address it. Most of the consumed drugs include heroin, which is usually sold in the dens.
Police said they arrested one suspect in connection with the attack and will be arraigned on Monday.
Nyumba Kumi leadership is usually used to address various crimes and issues in such informal settlements.
Meanwhile, police are investigating the death of a man whose body was found with injuries in the head and chest in Jamhuri area, Nairobi.
The body was found on the ground in the area and later moved to the mortuary pending further probe.
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