Kenya police hold five suspected Shabaab

Five men suspected Al-Shabaab militia have been arrested in Lamu on board a speed boat from Somalia while heading towards Lamu island.

The suspects, who are aged between 20 and 30 years, were arrested by marine police on patrol around noon on Manda Island Friday.

Confirming the arrest, Lamu West deputy OCPD Joseph Sigei told reporters that marine police were acting on a tipoff from local fishermen when they apprehended the suspects.

He, however, said that  no arms were recovered from the haggard looking and dishevelled suspects who could not communicate in Kiswahili or English.

“We are going to interrogate them to ascertain their true mission in our territorial waters and take the necessary action,” he said.

“We received information that a suspicious boat has been cited on beaches of Manda Island after arrival from the open sea.”

The suspects were identified as Ali Mohammed, Ahmed Omar, Abdullah Mohammed, Mohammed Abdi Mohammed and Jarma Mohammed Adan.

Mr Sigei said the suspects docked their boat near Takwa ruins and walked on foot towards Manda Beach Hotel before they were cornered by armed police officers deployed around the area.

“We suspect them to be members of Al Shabaab fleeing the ongoing military operation in Somalia but we have to question them to known better,” he said.

Police also impounded the speed boat and docked the vessel on the seafront near the Lamu West district commissioner’s office.

Mr Sigei said navy divers are expected at the scene to try to retrieve and firearms, which police suspect the Somalis threw into the sea to camouflage evidence.

He said the suspects may transferred to Mombasa for interrogation depending on the outcome of the grilling.