- Such mobile phones are rarely registered and are used in other parts to trigger explosions
- Police have ramped up operations to disrupt any plans to cause a terror attack in the country
Image: THE STAR
Police in Nairobi are holding a suspect who was found with more than 95 mobile phones, which they suspect he intended to use for terror-related activities.
This followed an operation by multi-agency teams led by the Anti-Terror Police Unit in parts of Majengo and Pumwani.
He claimed he was collecting the phones usually known as Kabambe to sell them at a later stage.
Such gadgets are usually used to trigger bombs.
Police say they are conducting disruptive measures to deter any planned attacks as warned by some western countries.
The suspect is expected in court for custodial orders.
Police spokesman Bruno Shioso said they are holding Mohamed Abubakar Hussein to assist them with further investigations.
He said that they had enhanced their security presence across the country.
“We urge the public to share information on any suspicious activities within their areas,” he added.
The man had been on a terror watch list and police are trying to establish his motive for possessing such a big number of used mobile phones.
The team is also interrogating a suspect who was arrested near a scene where seven passengers were killed after their vehicle ran over a set of Improvised Explosive Device in Mandera on Monday morning.
Police said al-Shabaab militants set up the explosive and they targeted a security vehicle that was using the route.
Shioso told Kenyans to keep being vigilant and warned there would be disruptive measures in some places including major roads and premises.
This is after the French government warned its citizens in Kenya of a looming terror attack in Nairobi targeting places frequented by foreigners.
Shioso said they had progressively fortified their security systems in information sharing and they value credible, authentic and verifiable information.
“The service has re-engineered her police units in line with modern-day policing dynamics, challenges and emerging threats. Security operations that ensure that imminent attacks are forestalled proactively remain our priority,” he said.
He added they had scaled up operations in the country and assured the public of safety at large.
Shioso however asked the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious happenings in their areas.
French, German and Dutch governments warned of a possible terror attack in the country.
Kenya says it has disrupted many terror plans in the recent past.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i said terrorism remains a threat in the country and urged the public to continue being vigilant.
“Don’t drop the guard. The threat is real and out there. We have disrupted many terror plans through public cooperation but we urge continued help to tame this problem,” he said.
Terrorists have increased attacks in parts of Lamu county in the last month leaving more than 20 people dead and others displaced.
The gang has also targeted a construction company in the area and destroyed its eight trucks in an attack.
The government gazetted parts of Lamu County as ‘Disturbed Areas’ and dispatched a multi-agency security team to restore peace and order following the attacks.
Apart from the terror elements, the government has blamed ethnic profiling that is linked to political inclinations around elections, the looming voter registration drive and land disputes as to the primary causes of the latest attacks and displacements in Lamu.