Sunday, June 05, 2016
"Bomb experts from Nyeri detonated the device found at Kianyaga Catholic Church before members arrived for a service." Photo/FILE
By JANE MUGAMBI
A grenade was found at the entrance of a church in Kirinyaga on Sunday sparking fears of a bomb attack.
Bomb experts from Nyeri detonated the device found at Kianyaga Catholic Church before members arrived for a service.
It had been placed at an entrance mostly used by children and choir members.
The church compound was cordoned off.
Father Simon Kanji said the person who planted the grenade must have taken advantage of a 15-minute window before doors are opened.
Gichugu MP Njogu Barua urged Kanji to investigate every person with keys to the church, including a night guard whose shift ended at 6.15am.
But he noted that sympathisers of terror group al Shabaab want to cause panic to make Kenya ungovernable.
Barua said the church should also install CCTV for easy monitoring.
Regarding the closure of Dadaab refugee camp, he said terror attacks must be prevented and Kenya's interests put first.
He noted that many youths are recruited into terror groups at refugee camps.
Baragwi MCA David Mathenge said tighter security measures need to be put in place and suspicious people reported to police.
"This is the second bomb scare at a Catholic church in Gichugu," he noted.
County commissioner Erustus Ekidor said this is the fifth of incidents believed to have been planned by workers.
Ekidor said residents should take note of strangers as all members of the public have a responsibility when it comes to security.