Police read 'mischief' over grenade incident at PM's office

Police have said investigations into a grenade shell found at Prime Minister Raila Odinga's office point at "mischief".

Police Commissioner Mathew Iteere said that if the device was a live grenade, it is of a type that can neither cause death nor injuries when exploded.

"We want to know who placed it there and with what motive. All officers who have been deployed here for the last month will be investigated. It’s some kind of mischief. Why place a dummy; this is what we want to establish,” said Mr Iteere. 

Mr Iteere spoke to journalists Wednesday morning when he inspected the scene where the shell was found.

The scene is a section of the building’s basement, littered with broken plastic and steel pipes, planks of timber and pieces of wood.

The police chief told journalists at the scene: “This area is very dusty as you can see. But the shell was quite clean. This indicates it was placed here not long before the matter was reported. May be a few hours, a day before but not more than a week.”

A plumber who was doing the repairs was the first to spot it and alerted the sentries who in turn reported to the police headquarters, just a block away.

Mr Iteere who was on a tour of North Eastern province directed his principal deputy Francis Okonya to evacuate the PM, the premises cordoned off and experts to visit the scene.

The police boss showed the shell to journalists, it had its lever and pin missing, an indication it had been exploded.

He also held another one, which looked similar, but with its lever and pin intact, indicating it was live.

“These type of grenades are used for training purposes only because they are not lethal. It will not disintegrate after exploding. It would only produce loud bang and a flash of light. They are to be found at the GSU training school and other police training colleges,” Mr Iteere said.

Mr Iteere said that officers in charge of training are required to dispose of all remnants including such shells.

In regard to Mr Odinga’s security, the police boss said it was not under threat.

“The security of the PM and other VIPs is okay. I am satisfied with what we have put in place,” Mr Iteere said.

He was accompanied to the scene by Mr Okonya, director of police operations Julius Ndegwa and spokesman Eric Kiraithe.

The PM’s office is situated on Harambee Avenue and across the street is Harambee House, where President Kibaki has an office.

Mr Odinga was in a meeting with Chief Justice Willy Mutunga when they were told to evacuate.