Mombassa - keep your wits about you if you are there on holiday
RPS advises that it is worth being cautious if you are travelling, working in or holidaying in Mombassa, Kenya. In the aftermath of the Westgate Mall incident, security remains a serious concern. Mombassa shows how things can escalate and it is worth keeping your wits about you when travelling there and not to become complacent.
According to reports released on 21 October, two religious leaders were killed in separate incidents in Kenya's south eastern city on 20 October.
Both leaders were affiliated to Christian churches in Mombasa and in the town of Kilifi located 60km north of the city. The motivation for the killings remains unknown and no arrests have been made. Mombasa has experienced a sharp increase in incidents of sectarian violence since the shooting of controversial Muslim cleric Sheikh Ibrahim Rogo on 3 October 2013.
Rogo and several associates were killed in a drive-by shooting that prompted several days of riots and civil unrest in the city; at least one person was injured and a church in the Majengo area of the city set alight, allegedly by local youths and supporters of Rogo.
Following violent clashes with protesters, security officials in the city heightened security and implemented roadblocks. The possibility of protests in the city in response to the incidents on 21 October cannot be discounted.
Anyone currently in Mombasa is advised to maintain a low profile and avoid all public gatherings as a precaution. Locations where large numbers of people gather, such as churches, restaurants, shopping malls, markets, hotels and bars, are also considered high-risk areas at this time; particular caution is advised in the vicinity of these locations.
Furthermore, you are advised to ensure that your itineraries are flexible due to possible travel delays which could arise as a result of any protests, street demonstrations or increased security measures in the city.
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Source: Red24
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