PHOTO | LABAN WALLOGA | FILE A police vehicle drives past a fire lit by
protesters in the King'orani area after Friday prayers on October 4,
2013.
NATION MEDIA GROUP
Saturday, October 26, 2013
Police in Mombasa are holding a Muslim cleric from Tanzania who entered the country a few days ago under unclear circumstances.
The
arrest of the outspoken preacher last evening at Musa mosque in Majengo
suburbs triggered violent confrontations between supporters of the
preacher and the police.
Coast regional police
Commander Aggrey Adoli said officers from the Anti Terrorism Police Unit
seized the preacher and whisked him away moments after he stepped out
of the mosque.
He said the cleric is known for stirring controversy and confrontations.
There were pitched battles between police and hundreds of the preacher’s supporters shortly after Friday prayers.
Five protesters were arrested and will be arraigned in court on Monday, according to Mr Adoli.
Mr
Adoli said several of the preacher’s Kenyan associates have been
summoned for questioning but by the time of going to press, they had not
reported to the authorities.
Meanwhile,
President Kenyatta on Friday said the government would use all means at
its disposal to defend citizens. The President also assured the UN that
the government will provide adequate security to the Nairobi offices
and other strategic installations across the country.
“We
want to assure the UN that we are working to ensure Kenya is safe. We
have increased security and will remain vigilant,” he said.
The President said the Westgate attack would not prevent the government from accomplishing its mission in Somalia.
He was speaking when he met the UN Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson at State House Nairobi.
“We
would like to remind anybody threatening our peace that we stand ready
to defend our rights to peaceful co-existence,” he said.