29 Ugandans 'headed for Somalia' arrested

Kenyan anti-terror police officers are questioning 29 Ugandans suspected of planning to join the Somali militant group Al-Shabaab.

Police spokesman Eric Kiraithe said the 27 men and two women, who were arrested last week in Nairobi, were thought to be headed for Somalia to join al-Shabaab.

The arrests came as police tightened security along the country’s borders and key installations.

Police sources said, however, that the Ugandans may be released because there is no evidence showing that they were headed for Somalia or that they have any ties to terrorism.

“We want to know their motive and if there are others here or on the way. But for now we have not obtained any evidence that can show they are terror suspects or sympathisers,” police said.

Mr Kiraithe also called on Kenyans to remain vigilant against terrorist attacks, noting that a security alert issued by police two weeks ago remained in effect.

Kenya sent troops into Somalia to battle Al-Shabaab rebels in October after several attacks, including the kidnapping of a French woman and a British tourist - and the killing of her husband - damaged its key tourism industry.

And the Kenyan military estimate that about 500 Kenyan recruits who are fighting for Al-Shabaab.

Kenya Defense Forces (KDF) Director of Operations Information Colonel Cyrus Oguna told journalists in Nairobi that most of them have been recruited into the group through false promises.