A member of Nyumba Kumi leadership in Mukuru slums, Nairobi, was killed by a gang that was on a revenge mission in a war on drug trafficking and consumption.
Wycliffe Obara was attacked by about seven men who were wearing facemasks and slashed to death in his house on Saturday evening.
Locals told police the man was attacked by a gang that was revenging an earlier operation in the area that saw a suspected drugs den destroyed.
The gang waylaid the deceased and slashed him in the head and legs.
He was picked up and rushed to Kenyatta National Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival, police said.
Nairobi police boss Adamson Bungei said the gang escaped towards Mukuru Kwa Reuben area after the incident.
Police say they have established Obara and other local leaders had earlier raided a drug den in the area and destroyed it.
The area chief had earlier on led other members of Nyumba Kumi in demolishing structures they claimed were used in selling drugs and suspected stolen goods.
Bungei said police are pursuing the gang behind the attack and that they are determined to address the drug menace in the area.
"We have a suspect who is helping us to get more information on the matter," he said.
Drug consumption and trading have been on the rise in the area amid calls for action to address it.
Most of the consumed drugs include heroin, which is usually sold in the dens.
Police said they arrested one suspect in connection with the attack and will be arraigned on Monday, May 8.
Nyumba Kumi leadership is usually used to address various crimes and issues in such informal settlements.
Meanwhile, police are investigating the death of a man whose body was found with injuries in the head and chest in Jamhuri, Nairobi.
The body was found on the ground in the area and later moved to the mortuary pending further probe.
