Search is on for local partners of terrorists

Police were on Monday looking for people who may have aided the terrorists who killed 148 people at the Garissa University College.

Investigators believe the militants must have worked with locals in Garissa County to plan and execute the deadly attack.

Police are particularly looking for those who might have sheltered them, helped in hiding their arsenal as well as offering them transport.

Those who helped in carrying out surveillance at the prior to the attack are also being sought by police.

A guard at the university was being held for the fourth day after he was linked to the four terrorists’ response units killed, including the fifth, who blew himself up.

Mr Osman Ali Dagane, a Kenyan was found in possession of jihadist material and it is believed he let the attackers into the compound. His colleague was shot dead at the gate.

Mr Rashid Charles Mberesero, a Tanzanian, is also being held. He was arrested within the university precincts after the attackers were killed.

Another Kenyan arrested together with the Tanzanian is also in custody. Three other suspects were arrested at the border as they attempted to sneak into Somalia.

Other than the five, whose arrest was announced by the Interior ministry, the Nation learnt that relatives of Kenyan Al-Shabaab commanders in Somalia were also being interrogated.

At least 10 suspects are on the government’s watch list, but it is not clear how many of their relatives were being questioned by police.

Top on the list is Mohamed Kuno, who has a Sh20 million bounty on his head. The other is Abdifatah Abubakar Abdi aka Musa Muhajir, wanted in connection with last year’s Mpeketoni attacks.

The government has offered Sh2 million for information leading to Abdifatah’s arrest.