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Four held over attacks as death toll rises to six
[Daily Nation (Kenya)] Police on Sunday tossed in the calaboose four people in connection with the Saturday night grenade attack at the Machakos country bus station in which six people were killed and 63 injured.Internal Security Minister George Saitoti said on Sunday initial indications were that the attacks could have been criminal masterminded by Somali terror group Al-Shabaab  ... Somalia's version of the Taliban, functioning as an arm of al-Qaeda... "Obviously we suspect this attack to be linked to Al-Shabaab and we are going to pursue them within and into Somalia," Prof Saitoti. Police officers said among the suspects are Kenyans and foreigners. Nairobi deputy police boss Moses Ombati could not deny nor confirm the arrests. "We are seriously investigating the matter and that of course involves interrogating some people," Mr Ombati said. The sources told Nation the suspects were being questioned by officers from the Anti-Terrorism Police Unit. Sunday's grenade attacks follows a posting on Al-Shabaab's Twitter account last week warning of an impending attack in the country. The turban group had warned that its fighters had entered Kenya and were planning to strike at strategic installations. (READ: KDF warns of Shabaab threat at borders) Since Kenya and the Somali Transitional Federal Government launched a joint operation against the Al-Qaeda-linked terrorist group, the Death Eaters have staged several attacks in the country. Prof Saitoti said one person was struck down in his prime while the other five died while undergoing treatment at the Kenyatta National Hospital. He termed the 7.30pm attack "unfortunate" and said investigations into the incident were ongoing. "Such terrorists' acts on innocent people will not be tolerated and the government will do everything within its power to ensure that security of Kenyans is guaranteed," he said. Prof Saitoti, who was addressing a presser at Harambee House in Nairobi, said he was confident those behind the attack would be brought to justice, noting that those responsible for previous attacks had been caught. "The government assures Kenyans that it will pursue the perpetrators of these acts wherever they are to face the full force of the law," he added. Prof Saitoti said that after the attacks at Kwa Mwaura's and the Kaka Stage (OTC) in Nairobi, the police successfully apprehended the assailants and recovered explosives. "Similarly in Mombasa, we were able to pre-empt a number of attempts by such criminals and also recovered several explosives and firearms," he said. In January, the Death Eaters attacked Gerille town near the Kenya-Somalia border just before 7pm, bombed the Administration Police camp, killed six and kidnapped three others. Two of the abductees are still being held hostage. Since then, the Death Eaters have warned they would continue to raid Kenyan towns to kill and abduct. On Sunday, Prof Saitoti appealed to the public to remain vigilant in identifying and reporting any suspicious characters to the police. He also urged the public to avoid congregating at the scenes of attacks for their safety and to ensure that the scene is preserved to enable accurate collection of forensic evidence The government had intensified surveillance at sensitive installations and public places like churches, hotels, shopping malls and bus terminus. In January, Al-Shabaab released a propaganda video declaring war against Kenya. The video was released by Sheikh Ahmed Iman Ali, the self-proclaimed leader of Kenyan Al-Shabaab fighters in Somalia. The report of the UN Somalia and Eritrea Monitoring Group indicates that Sheikh Ali, a former chairman of Moslem Youth Centre in Pumwani, Nairobi, was central in the recruitment of non-Somalis in Nairobi to join Al-Shabaab. Security has been tightened following reports that Al-Shabaab had sent hit squads to eliminate Defence Minister Yusuf Haji and National Assembly Deputy Speaker Farah Maalim. Several foreigners including Kenyans have been tossed in the calaboose in the country over links to Al-Shabaab. Those tossed in the calaboose were either planning to go to war-torn country or had sneaked into Kenya from Somalia. Many ordinary places have been designated "vital installations" and put under blanket security. Normally, vital installations would include airports, military barracks, cop shoppes and foreign missions. On Sunday, Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka condemned the attack, terming it cowardly. He said such attacks would not break the Kenya's resolve to guarantee security its citizens' security and vowed that Kenyans will continue to fight terror. He called on Kenyans to remain calm as the security agencies were doing everything possible to bring the culprits to book. "We will be more committed to fighting terror. We will not allow snuffies any room in our country", he added. He commended KNH staff and other rescue agencies for their rapid response in saving the lives of Kenyans. Planning Assistant minister Peter Kenneth also sent his condolences yesterday to the families of those who perished during the grenade attacks. He, however, urged the police to ensure safety of Kenyans. "Kenyans on the other hand should pray for our defence forces in Somalia as they fight for our safety," said Mr Kenneth. Posted by: Fred 2012-03-12 |
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