A Catholic cathedral in northern Kenya, on the border with Ethiopia, has been attacked by Muslims during violent demonstrations in the area, in which three people were killed, over the arrest of a Muslim preacher.

The looting of the proto-cathedral of Our Lady of Consolata in Marsabit dates back to January 13, when police arrested a sheikh, Guyo Gorsa, accusing him of having ties with the jihadist group al-Shabaab.

A proto-cathedral is the former cathedral of a transferred see.

According to Agenzia Fides, the commotion attracted the attention of locals, with at least 400 young people taking to the streets of the city, trying to stop the police convoy around the sheikh.

This led to clashes with the police, with the youths barging into the police station and confronting officers, demanding the release of their preacher.

The youth blocked roads and lit bonfires using tyres, Fides reported, and vandalised a nearby branch of the Kenya Commercial Bank.

'When they were dispersed from there they went to the Catholic church, forced their way in after beating up the watchman and completely destroying the gate. Once inside the compound they started breaking windows using stones. Fortunately, they did not gain entry into the cathedral', said Fr Ibrahim Racho, vicar general of the diocese of Marsabit.

Three cars belonging to the diocese parked inside the church complex were also reportedly destroyed.

Fr Racho said that the police arrived in time and dispersed the rioters but not before serious damage was done to the properties.

Overall, three people were killed and several others were injured in the clashes. However, no one was injured in the proto-cathedral complex except for the watchman who suffered minor injuries, Agenzia Fides reported.

Fr Racho explained told the news outlet that there was no religious tension between Christians and Muslims in Marsabit. 'Before we were peacefully coexisting and this for me, I want to believe is not a religious animosity but just the anger of the Muslim youth over the sheikh,' he said.

The judiciary has ruled that the sheikh will remain in custody for 30 days pending the completion of investigations.