Alert as 6 terror suspects held in Kakamega

Western Regional Police Commander Moses Ombati

KAKAMEGA: Security agencies have intensified operations in the county in the wake of terror threats in the country.

Six suspects from Somalia were arrested in Makaburini estate in Kakamega town following information given to security forces by the public. Western Regional Police Commander Moses Ombati said the suspects were by Sunday still being interrogated to establish what they were doing in the county without identification documents.

"We received some information that led to their arrest. They had no identification documents and we appeal to the public to provide us with more information. Our officers are on high alert to deal with any security threat," said Mr Ombati.

Kakamega County Security Operations Co-ordinator Dickson Njiru praised the public for providing the information that led to the arrests. A spot check by The Standard showed security personnel in churches and other places had been increased.

Security has also been beefed up in learning institutions, with police officers patrolling the town and other places.

"Our officers are on high alert to respond to any security threats. We have assigned them to different areas to enhance security checks," Mr Njiru said.

Meanwhile, police shot and injured two people suspected to be members of a gang planning to rob the collapsed Webuye Pan Paper factory on Saturday.

One of the injured was arrested and is recuperating at Webuye Sub-county Hospital while his accomplice fled with wounds.

Bungoma County Commissioner Mohamed Maalim said the private guards manning the facility reported to police officers that there was a group of over 30 people, commonly known as Nabuyole Boys, who were threatening to kill them if they were not allowed to take scrap metal from the factory.

ARMED POLICE

"After receiving the information, we secretly deployed armed police officers to the factory and at 3am, the gang arrived armed with crude weapons," said Mr Maalim.

Maalim said the factory belonged to the Government and nobody would be allowed to dismantle it at any cost. He said the factory machines were still in good condition and could be serviced.

"As the Government plans to revive the factory, we will not allow anybody to enter and dismantle the machines," he said.