Security tightened after reports of terror attack plans

Bomb expert fights to dismantle the dashboard of the Toyota Surf that had the six pipe bomb fitted inside at Police headquarters in Mombasa in this picture taken on March 19, 2014. PHOTO | LABAN WALLOGA

What you need to know:

  • Senior security officers and their teams from the UK are also in the country to help in the fight against terror. Mr Richard Witshire (UK Police), Christopher Jordan (UK Defence), and Peter Malcom (UK Border Force) have been in the country since Monday and are expected to leave next Friday.
  • On general crime over the last one month the minister said that 7,718 other suspects had been arraigned in court, and 2,922 stolen heads of cattle recovered.

Covert security operations supported by foreign agencies have been heightened throughout the country following reports that terrorists were planning a major attack.

So far, detectives have averted major attacks in the country by intercepting deadly arsenal and arresting at least 130 suspected terrorists.

However, some terrorists said to be hiding in Nairobi and Mombasa are yet to be located. Other intelligence reports also indicate that at least six businessmen in Nairobi, suspected to be assisting the terrorists, are on the detectives’ radar.

On Tuesday evening, two other terror suspects seized on Sunday were flown out of the country to an undisclosed location through Addis Ababa. One of them had been arrested in Nairobi and is said to have been in the country since August last year.

Detectives in Mombasa, assisted by other detectives from the American Federal Bureau of Investigations, had earlier in the day recovered 270 rounds of ammunition, one AK-47 rifle, Improvised Explosive Devices, grenades, detonators and a mobile phone for detonating the bombs.

Surveillance at the airports has also been heightened where another 47 people trafficked through the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Nairobi, were intercepted and returned to their points of origin.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph Lenku Wednesday said that the security agents had been working very closely with foreign agencies.

He added that the war had extended to government officials and even the airlines.

Senior security officers and their teams from the UK are also in the country to help in the fight against terror. Mr Richard Witshire (UK Police), Christopher Jordan (UK Defence), and Peter Malcom (UK Border Force) have been in the country since Monday and are expected to leave next Friday.

Mr Lenku revealed that some security officers had been accused of assisting some suspected terrorists in custody, prompting the isolation of 145 prisoners charged with terrorism-related offences, to maximum security prisons.

He added that at least four airlines had been surcharged for bringing into the country inadmissible persons, while four other officers from the National Registration Bureau had been investigated and charged with corruption.

Up to 356 foreigners have been arrested in Bungoma, Mombasa, Garissa and the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and charged in court.

A major crackdown has also been launched on at least 11 criminal gangs.

“I am aware that gangs like Mungiki are trying to make a comeback. We are on high alert and will deal with them firmly,” warned Mr Lenku.

On general crime over the last one month the minister said that 7,718 other suspects had been arraigned in court, and 2,922 stolen heads of cattle recovered.

“Ten corruption cases involving police officers have been reported and are being investigated,” added the Cabinet Secretary.

Attention is also focused on foreigners seeking work permits.

Out of 1,616 applications for work permits the ministry approved 1,549 while 32 applications were rejected. Another 35 have been deferred for further scrutiny.

Regarding the repatriation of the refugees, the minister said that members of the refugees affairs committee would be appointed next week to handle the technical and logistical details of repatriation.

“With regard to the situation in South Sudan, the number of refugees in Kakuma has unfortunately continued to rise,” said Mr Lenku.