Mungiki shoot, injure police officers

Kenya Broadcasting Corp/January 21, 2006

Nairobi's Central police station boss Patrick Oduma was Friday shot by suspected Mungiki sect members, triggering a masive countrywide crackdown on the outlawed sect members.

Oduma and two other police officers were among a contigent of anti riot police who were trying to disperse rioting matatu touts at the crime prone Globe cinema roundabout when they were ambushed by thugs riding in a matatu.

The thugs sprayed bullets on the three three officers who were later rushed to Kenyatta national hospital.

Police commisioner Major General Hussein Ali said police will be ruthles in dealing with the outlawed sect members.

He said no one will be spared and the sect's sympathizers and their financiers will face the full force of the law.

Ali said police will no longer tolerate matatu operators who attempt to stage protests in the protex of police harassment.

He said PSV licences of matatus that were impounded during the Friday protests will be cancelled and warned of similar action in the event of any demonstrations in future.

Last week internal security minister John Michuki gave the police a go ahead to focefully crackdown on Mungiki.

Meanwhile internal security minister John Michuki has said the government will not relent on its war to eliminate the outlawed Mungiki sect.

Mickuki said his ministry would make sure wananchi continue with their day to day activities without fear of being attacked.

The minister who was speaking at Gathang'ara dispensary in Kangema, asked Matatu operators to volunteer information on suspected members of the sect in their areas of operation.

He was speaking a day after five members of the suspected Mungiki sect were lynched in Kagunduini along Thika road.

The minister also said he would beef up security for Members of Parliament who report any cases of threat to their lives.