Thursday, December 13, 2012
By PATRICK MAYOYO
A person being checked at Holy Family Minor Basilica Catholic church Nairobi. Security agencies are on high alert following intelligence reports that Al-Shabaab militants were planning a series of terrorist attacks during the festive season. Photo/FILE NATION MEDIA GROUP
Security agencies are on high alert following intelligence reports that Al-Shabaab militants were planning a series of terrorist attacks during the festive season.
This comes in the wake of the arrest of six suspected Al-Shabaab terrorists on Tuesday in Ruka area along the Kenya-Somalia border.
Three grenades, two pistols and 84 rounds of ammunition were also seized from their vehicle.
Kenya has been hit by a series of grenade attacks in which more than 50 people have been killed and scores injured. Al-Shabaab has, in the past, claimed responsibility for some of the attacks, saying, it was in retaliation to Kenya’s decision to send its troops to the war-torn Horn of Africa country.
The arsenal seized in Jarajila Division, Fafi District, is reported to have been destined to Garissa to cause harm during yesterday’s Jamhuri Day celebrations.
Speaking to the Nation by phone, Garissa County Commissioner Mohamed Maalim said they have been on high alert after security officers received intelligence of a possible terror attack.
“The information we have received is that some suspected terrorists are planning to carry out attacks during this Christmas season,” Mr Maalim said.
He said police officers from the rural border patrol unit came across a Toyota Land Cruiser vehicle with 10 occupants, which sped off after being waved down to stop.
“Our team of officers gave chase and caught up with them. Four of them jumped out of the vehicle and escaped on foot,” Mr Maalim said.
The administrator said they caught up with the suspects because heavy rains pounding the area have made panya routes impassable.
He appealed to the public to cooperate with security agencies in the war against terror by volunteering information that could lead to the arrest of the suspects.
Security agencies are also tracking down Kenyans who fled Kismayu after it was captured by allied forces on suspicion that they are couriers for explosives being used in terror attacks in different towns in the country. They are also suspected to be the masterminds of Al-Shabaab activities.
Meanwhile, Kamukunji MP Yusuf Hassan said he would be discharged from hospital soon following the Friday grenade attack in Eastleigh.
Mr Hassan, who is admitted to Aga Khan Hospital, was injured in the left leg.