2014 Mpeketoni attacks
| 2014 Mpeketoni attacks | |
|---|---|
| Location | Mpeketoni, Kenya |
| Date | 15 June 2014 17:30 (GMT) |
|
Attack type
|
Terrorist attack, mass murder, arson, anti-Christian hate crime, mass shooting, van hijacking |
| Deaths | 60+ |
| Perpetrators | Al-Shabaab |
Between 15 June and 17 June 2014, more than 60 people were killed in attacks in and near Mpeketoni, Kenya. The Somalia-based Al-Shabaab militant group claimed responsibility, but the Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta asserted that the attacks were organized by local politicians with ties to a network of gangs. Correspondents from the area suggested that the attacks may have been motivated by ethnic or religious hatred, or revenge for land grabbing.
On 15 June 2014, about 50 masked gunmen hijacked a van and raided a police station in the predominantly Christian town of Mpeketoni, Kenya. According to a local policeman, the gunmen then shot men at random as women were forced to watch. An eyewitness, however, said that the attackers were targeting Christians. "They came to our house at around 8pm and asked us in Swahili whether we were Muslims," she said. "My husband told them we were Christians and they shot him in the head and chest." The assailants also burned hotels, restaurants, and government offices.
According to Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta, the Mpeketoni police received warning of the attack ahead of time, but did not act on the warning. No on-duty police were killed in the attack and military reinforcements stationed 30 kilometres (19 mi) away did not arrive until 10 hours after the attack, leading The Standard to declare the "government fed us to the dogs". The newspaper's investigation suggested police had ignored calls for help, in some cases turning off their radios. Others were watching World Cup games and did not receive notice of the situation. An eyewitness said he was told police vehicles did not have sufficient fuel to respond to his distress call. The police commissioner, who was reportedly suspended after the attack, stated "We responded robustly but we were overwhelmed."
After the attacks, angry local Kenyans brandishing weapons subsequently took to Mpeketoni's streets in protest.
At least 53 people were reportedly killed during the attack, and eight others were unaccounted for as of 18 June. Most of the dead Kenyans were Kikuyus.
On 17 June 2014, assailants set fire to houses in the villages of Majembeni and Poromoko, near Mpeketoni. At least fifteen people were killed in the overnight attacks. According to an eyewitness, the attackers also went door-to-door, pulling people out of their homes and demanding they prove they were Muslim. Initial reports also said twelve women were abducted during the raid, although that was later proven incorrect.
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Wikipedia