A man suspected of being on a terror mission to Kenya, targeting Nairobi's Central Business District (CBD), is currently being interrogated by anti-terror police.
This is after police on patrol on Tuesday night identified him suspiciously walking on the streets of Nairobi at around 11:20 p.m.
According to a police report, his evasive and erratic behaviour attracted the attention of alert officers from Kamukunji Police Station, prompting them to question him and inspect the contents of a bag in his possession.
This prompted a search, during which the 22-year-old was found in possession of 21 detonators, along with 21 packs of items suspected to be ammonium nitrate and an electric cable.
''Police officers on patrol at approximately 23:20 hours yesterday identified and arrested a man on suspicion of potential involvement in terror-related activities,'' the police report read in part.
''Upon a further search, the 22-year-old suspect was found to be carrying 21 detonators, along with 21 packets of a white substance suspected to be ammonium nitrate, a five-metre-long electric cable, and other items.''
The suspect was immediately detained and later handed over to the Anti-Terrorism Police Unit (ATPU) for further interrogation as investigations proceed.
According to Kenyan law, the suspect could face charges under the Prevention of Terrorism Act, 2012, which addresses the possession of explosive materials with the intent to commit terror-related offences if found guilty. The Act outlines tough penalties, including life imprisonment, for those found guilty of planning or facilitating such acts.
Additionally, the Explosives Act criminalises possession of explosive material, including ammonium nitrate and detonators. If confirmed, the suspect could also be charged with illegal possession of explosive substances without proper licensing or documentation as required by law.
Meanwhile, the developments come at a time when tensions continue to hover around the capital city and the country at large, following the unrest witnessed in the city on Tuesday during the protests to demand justice for slain blogger Albert Ojwang.
A police officer was captured on camera shooting at an unarmed hawker at close range using a shotgun, an act that has since attracted condemnation from human rights groups.
However, Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja later confirmed the arrest of the officer whose identity and name remain a mystery.
