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Security has been intensified in Kenya's coastal city of Mombasa

04 April 2014 19:09 (UTC +04:00)

Baku-APA. Security has been intensified in Kenya's coastal city of Mombasa following planned protests after Friday prayers over the death of Muslim cleric Abubakar Sharrif, alias Makaburi, APA reports quoting Xinhua.

A combined team of security officers have been deployed in various parts of the coastal city including Majengo area where the late Makaburi commands huge followers.

Mombasa County Police Commander Robert Kitur told journalists that police have not licensed the demonstration because of security concerns.

"Security has been heightened to deal decisively to those who might attempt to cause chaos in Mombasa that has witnessed relative calm since the killing of Makaburi," Kitur warned.

Kitur said human rights group Haki Africa and Muslim-based organization Muhuri had applied for the license to hold peaceful protect over cleric killing.

The organizations had issued a three-day ultimatum to the state to explain the circumstances that led to Makaburi death and process of investigation.

Kitur said the protest is illegal and urged residents not to attend for security reason.

Mombasa County Commissioner Nelson Marwa said the rights organizations are inciting youths to cause chaos for their own selfish interest.

"They are only interested in drawing funds from donors and using innocent youths to destabilize the county. We are putting them on notice," Marwa warned.

Makaburi was killed by unknown gunmen on Tuesday night near Shanzu court along the Mombasa-Malindi highway.

The government has denied being behind the alleged execution of Makaburi.

Marwa said a permanent police station has been established at Likoni channel to deal with terror threats.

He said the station has been assigned special squad that will be permanently attached at the channel to ensure safety and deal with any terror plot.

According to Kenya authorities, Likoni Channel where thousands of commuters and motorist use daily is a soft target for terrorists. The government has announced that security measures including CCTV cameras have been restored at the channel.

"All motorist and ferry users will be properly inspected before boarding the ferry for their own security and urge them to comply, " Marwa said.

Makaburi, who often said he was in danger of being killed by security agents, was viewed as the successor to Aboud Rogo Mohammed, a controversial preacher accused of links to Somali militant group Al-Shabaab.

Both Makaburi and Rogo were on U.S. and UN sanction list for allegedly supporting Al-Shabaab, including through recruitment and fund-raising. The two openly supported the terror acts including the deadly West Gate attack in Nairobi.

Makaburi was last week quoted of justifying the killing of non- Muslims following the government's decision to send troops to deal with Al-Shabaab. He repeatedly accused the police of the outright execution of Muslims.

Security remained high in the coastal city of Mombasa following fears of more revenge attacks from the radical youths after Friday prayers.

There have been over 30 grenade and gun attacks in Mombasa, Nairobi, Garissa, and Mandera in the past two years.

The most recent attacks occurred on the night of April 1, killing six people in Nairobi's Eastleigh district, which is largely populated by ethnic Somalis. The authorities said later that day that they had arrested 657 people following that attack.