Police have arrested two suspected members of the Islamic State in Nairobi who were planning terror attacks in the Capital and Mombasa.
In a press release on Wednesday, the police announced that Mwangolo Mgutu and Abubakar Jilo Mohamed were arrested on Tuesday in Kangemi, Nairobi, with materials for making Improvised Explosive Devices (IED).
Police recovered nails, ball bearings, batteries, electric wires, fertiliser, cell phones, poisoned arrows and other materials that were taken up for forensic examinations. The two were arrested at Mwangolo's house.
According to the security agents, the two were planning attacks on Public Service Vehicles and social gathering areas and later flee the country to Syria where they would re-join ISIS.
The statement signed by National Police Service spokesperson George Kinoti, further highlights that the suspects were recruited into the terrorist group by one Mohammed Abdi Ali who later radicalised them at the Kangemi Mosque.
The police divulged that Ali's apprehension led to the foiling of the terror attack.
Kinoti further stated that Mgutu and Jilo were part of the authors of a document circulating online purporting the establishment of Jahba -East Africa, in which they declare their allegiance to ISIS leader Abu Omar al-Baghdadi
“We have established that these youths were making these plans without their parent's knowledge,” read part of the statement.
As a precaution measure, the police have also urged operators of the public service vehicle to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity.
