Five suspects arrested with explosives in Kenya

NAIROBI, Kenya - The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) in Kenya have arrested five people with explosives that were in transit, in what could shape the ongoing offensive against the Al-Shabaab militants in the northeastern region.

The DCI confirmed that the multi-agency security teams intercepted a passenger bus headed to Meru from Mombasa, nabbing a cache of weapons in the process. The vehicle was intercepted around the Kanyonyoo-Embu highway.

The discovery came during a meticulous search that revealed a medium-sized white carton, branded with the LATO Milk logo. Inside, authorities discovered a dangerous haul: ten water gel explosives labelled EXPLOGEL V6, one detonating cord, and two IDEAL Electric Detonators, detectives said.

After the discovery, the vehicle was swiftly escorted to Kanyonyo Police Station, where the driver, Lawrance Kioko Mutuku, and the conductor, Said Rashid Amour, were taken into custody pending investigation.

However, acting on forensic leads, detectives from the Bomb Disposal Unit (BDU) and the Anti-Terrorist Police Unit (ATPU) zeroed in on the key suspect — Brenda Imboyanga Makhulungu, who was apprehended in Kakamega town, several kilometres west of Nairobi.

Brenda, the registered sender of the package, had declared the explosives as "Dawa ya Maji" at Tahmeed’s Kakamega office, orchestrating its journey from Kakamega to Mombasa and then to the Meru-bound bus via Kitui.

The investigation widened, leading to the arrest of two additional suspects, David Tindi Andala and John Kariuki Kung’u, in Meru town. All five suspects are now in custody in the ongoing probe, with the bus and the seized explosives detained as exhibits.

In recent weeks, security forces in Kenya have been pursuing Al-Shabaab militants in the northeastern and Lamu regions, where the group has managed to kill dozens of innocent civilians and security officers, who have paid the price of the operations.

Multi-agency security teams have been keeping the militants at bay in eastern parts of the country, with the Kenya Defence Forces managing operations in the country. Over 14 Forward Operating Bases have been opened along the border with Somalia, with many soldiers expected to be deployed.

GAROWE ONLINE