Kenyan minister's bodyguard among 4 killed in fresh political violence

Mombasa, Kenya (PANA) - Four people, including a bodyguard to Kenya's fisheries minister Amason Kingi, have been slashed to death in the latest flare up in violence in Kenya's coastal region, witnesses said Thursday.

The minister's bodyguard intervened after a rowdy gang invaded a meeting attended by the fisheries minister and local politicians.

The minister escaped unhurt, but was hit by stones during the chaos.

Stewart Madzayo, who is gunning for a top political post in Mombasa, was reportedly hurt and was receiving treatment at a hospital in Mombasa.

Witnesses said the minister's bodyguard suffered deep cuts and was pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital.

Police suspect the violence in the region could be a result of activities of a separatist group, the Mombasa Republican Council (MRC).

However, Police also suspect a new group may have sprung up in the usually calm coastal city, the country's tourist haven.

Kenya is heading to the General Elections in March 2013, the first since the disputed presidential polls in 2007/8.

Isaack Hassan, head of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), said Thursday the body was worried by pockets of violence in some parts of Kenya and was on the lookout for politicians keen to displace some clans to gain upper political mileage in the coming polls.
-0- PANA AO/VAO 4Oct2012