Early Morning Ambush Shatters the Quiet
In the dead of night along Barabara ya Mchanga in Likoni, the quiet of early Monday was shattered by sudden violence.
At approximately 3:40 a.m. on 26 October 2026, a group of armed men — estimated at around five — launched a swift and brutal attack on a Mombasa County cess collection checkpoint. County enforcement officers and two Administration Police officers were on duty when the attackers struck with crude weapons and overwhelming force.
Rifle Seized and Turned on Officers
In the chaos that followed, the assailants overpowered one of the police officers and seized his AK-47 rifle, loaded with 30 rounds of ammunition. They immediately turned the stolen weapon on the officers.
County enforcement officer Omari Mzerera was shot in the back; the bullet tore through his body and exited through his chest. He collapsed and later succumbed to his injuries. His body was taken to Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital mortuary.
Injured Officers Rushed to Hospital
Police Launch Investigations
Mombasa County Police Commander Stella Cherono confirmed the attack and said investigations were underway to identify the attackers and establish their motive. The stolen rifle remains unrecovered.
Another county enforcement officer suffered deep cuts to the head and right thigh. An Administration Police officer sustained cuts to his hand and a gunshot wound to the left thigh. A third county officer managed to escape unharmed. The wounded were rushed to Diani Beach Hospital for treatment.
Community Left in Shock
The early-morning raid has left the Likoni community shaken. What should have been a routine night shift at a revenue checkpoint turned into a deadly ambush, highlighting the dangers faced by officers enforcing county collections in the area.