The government has clarified reports of a mysterious man seen carrying bags and an AK47 rifle on the busy streets of Nairobi.
The man was seen walking in Asmara, Pangani on Tuesday, January 14, at around 8 am, attracting the attention of passersby and motorists on the street.
"He is our officer and had left his gun at Pangani. He was crossing over to Muthaiga where the police vehicle was, to join his colleagues," the National Police Service clarified as quoted by journalist Robin Njogu.
Reports from Hot 96 FM indicated that the suspicious man was an officer based at Daadab Refugee Camp and had gone to pick his gun before departing to his station.
The issue was first brought into the limelight by Insecurity KE, a social media platform that sheds light on incidents of insecurity and across the country.
"A man was seen today, 14/01/20, at around 0800hrs walking near Asmara, Pangani. He was in civilian attire had an AK47 with magazines strapped on his chest.
"After a tip-off, police officers in Starehe Police Division apprehended him. He claims to be a police officer," Insecurity KE announced on Tuesday.
The suspicious sighting comes barely a week after the United Kingdom issued travel advisories against the country on accounts of terror-related threats.
In a statement sent through the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), the UK advised against all but essential travel to areas within 60km of the Kenya-Somali border and Garissa County.
“Terrorists are very likely to try to carry out attacks in Kenya. There is a heightened threat of terrorism, including terrorist kidnappings, across Kenya.
“Attacks, including terrorist kidnappings, could target Westerners, including British nationals,” read the statement.
