Lamu police deny alleged arrest of MRC members
What you need to know:
- Lamu East OCPD Mr Samuel Obara also refuted the reports attributed to the Ministry of Interior.
Police bosses in Lamu County Wednesday dismissed reports that 13 members of the secessionist group Mombasa Republican Council had been arrested in Kiunga, Lamu East.
Lamu County Commissioner Stephen Ikua also denied reports of the said arrests dismissing them as rumours. “That is rubbish. There is nothing like that,’’ he told the Nation.
The Interior ministry's had earlier tweeted that the 13 were seized as they planned to attack Witu, Kipini, Marereni and Garsen in a raid similar to Mpeketoni.
Interior communications director Mwenda Njoka said security personnel were on high alert and that the suspects were being questioned, even as police conduct more investigations into the June 15/16 attacks that left 60 people dead.
Police Commander Ephantus Kiura said they had no such reports. “I have contacted my OCPD in Lamu East and he told me that there are no such people who have been arrested in Kiunga,’’ he told Nation on telephone from Lamu Island.
Lamu East OCPD Mr Samuel Obara also refuted the reports attributed to the Ministry of Interior.
“I have personally gone into the cells to see these people who are said to have been arrested here and have seen none. I am the OCPD here and I can say with clear mind that we have not arrested such persons.
Speaking from Kiunga, some 168 kilometres from Lamu town, he said, “why should we hide if we have arrested them?," adding, "Take it from me, there is no one arrested."
