Police name 15 key Shabaab fugitives

• The suspects are said to have left Kismayu recently destined for Kenya and police say they have useful information on militia group

Police have released the names of 15 men they believe hold key information that could help unravel the Al-Shabaab militia.

The suspects are said to have left Kismayu recently for Kenya and some are believed to be already in the country. The group comprises nine Kenyans, two Asians and four Somalis aged between 24 and 32.

Most of the Kenyans are known to have resided in Majengo area of Nairobi and Mombasa before leaving for Somalia about a year ago.

“If any of these people is in Kenya, they are advised to report to the nearest police station,” said Police Spokesman Eric Kiraithe.

He also urged any person who sees any of them or has information on their whereabouts to inform police.

One of the suspects is Habib Saleh Ghani aka Abu Usama Al-Pakistani, a Briton.

The others, some only known by only one name, are Abdi Samadi Wadud aka Asu, Ali Hashim Muhogo, Amar, Bashir, Budalangi, Erico, Farhan Ayub, Jamadar, Juma Ayub, Amar, Mwarabu, Ramadhan Kioko, Sufiyan and Habib Saleh.

Police have also released the name of Baba Nawal, suspected to have been involved in the kidnapping of a disabled French woman who was abducted in Lamu in October.

Another suspect wanted by police is Natalie Fayed, holder of passport number A 0152478 who is said to have entered Kenya through Lunga Lunga border crossing on February 26, and also came in on August 25, through Namanga.

She is in the company of her three children one girl and two boys aged 10, 8 and 5.

Police have also confirmed that GSU officers killed three suspected Al-Shabaab militants and recovered five AK-47 rifles, two speedboats, 14 magazines and 372 bullets on Saturday morning.

Kiwayu area

The officers, who were on patrol, saw an unidentified boat approaching the Kenyan territorial waters at around 6.30am on Friday morning at Kiwayu area of Lamu. They gave chase but the suspects sped and abandoned the boat and disappeared into the Mukokoni forest.

On Saturday at around 9am the GSU officers from the ‘L’ company now based at Kiunga found the armed men and a fierce exchange ensued.

In the process, three of the suspects were killed and three others escaped with gunshot injuries.

“There were no casualties among the security agents,” said Mr Kiraithe.

Meanwhile, police have banned all fireworks as they intensify security patrols and at the same time urged the public to liaise with their local police on security arrangements before they organise or attend any gatherings.

Mr Kiraithe, however, stressed that he was satisfied with the security situation in the country and the police would not ban gatherings.