Popular Imam Shot Dead After Praying In Mosque

oge okonkwo

November 6, 2014 2:44 PM

The deceased cleric was said to be a vocal opponent of militant group al-Shabaab and spoke publicly against the group's radical interpretations of Islam

Outspoken influential Imam, Salim Bakari Mwangari in Kenya has been assassinated unknown gunmen on the evening of Tuesday November 4.

"Gunmen on a motorbike slowed down, shot at him and sped off," Mombasa County police commander Robert Kitur said according to AFP. "Police have launched an investigation and manhunt for the attackers."

The deceased cleric was said to be a vocal opponent of militant group al-Shabaab and spoke publicly against the group's radical interpretations of Islam.

BBC reports that, Kassim Bakari, a relative of Mwarangi, said the slain cleric had received death threats and feared for his life.

"People were calling him saying they are looking for him to kill him," Bakari said. "But he was a preacher who liked peace and always preached peace."

Mohamed Idris, another influential Muslim cleric who was a vocal opponent of al-Shabaab and extremist ideology, was assassinated in Mombasa in June.

oge okonkwo