Security officers, on Tuesday, foiled what could have been a major terror attack after intercepting explosives in a Meru-bound passenger bus that was travelling from Mombasa.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) said a multi-agency security team, on routine patrol along the Kanyonyoo–Embu Highway, flagged down the bus after receiving intelligence reports. They searched it and discovered the cache of explosives.
During the incident, the officers found a medium-sized white carton branded with the logo of a local milk production company.
"The discovery came during a meticulous search that revealed a medium-sized white carton, branded with a logo of a local milk company. Authorities discovered a dangerous haul: ten water gel explosives labelled Expogel V6, one detonating cord, and two ideal electric detonators," the DCI said in a statement.
The bus was later escorted to Kanyonyo Police Station, where the driver and the conductor were taken into police custody.
Consequently, detectives from the Anti-Terrorism Police Unit (ATPU) and Bomb Disposal Unit (BDU) arrested a female suspect, who was apprehended at Mundutsu village, Kakamega County.
According to the DCI, the female suspect was identified as the registered sender of the package and had declared the explosives as "Dawa ya Maji" at Tahmeed’s Kakamega office.
"The suspect, who was 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 agency added.
Later, using additional forensic leads, the investigation widened, leading to the arrest of two more suspects in Meru town.
All five suspects are now in custody as the probe continues, with the bus and the seized explosives detained as exhibits.
