Police in Msambweni, Kwale county are investigating an alleged murder of an Imam of one of the mosques in the area.
Omar Shehe Fuvwe was reportedly attacked by a gun wielding gang that raided his village on Saturday night, which killed him and chopped off his head.
Msambweni Police boss Nehemiah Bitok said the deceased, who was serving at Mabokoni mosque, was attacked by the 20-man gang which was also armed with other crude weapons.
He added that the deceased was found about a kilometer from his home with deep machete wounds, proof that he might have been slashed to death.
His head was found buried about 80 metres from the body.
The police boss said the Imam was killed alongside local elder Bakari Dondo, adding that a probe has since been launched into the incident.
"We are yet to establish the motive of the killings of the two elders. We are following crucial leads on the same," he said on Sunday.
He added that the assailants later escaped on foot while the bodies were moved to Kwale County hospital mortuary.
This comes amid an ongoing government operation to wipe out armed groupings that have been harassing and maiming residents in the coastal region.