Five Kenyans suspected to be suicide bombers who have been hiding in Somalia are trying to sneak back into the country, a leaked intelligence report have revealed.
The brief detailing images and names of the suspects indicates they intend to carry out attacks. They are Shamim Wanjiru Hussein, her husband Omar Patroba Juma, Omar Owiti, Ramadhan Kioko and former footballer Anwar Yogan Mwok.
Ms Hussein, 26, was born in Pumwani, Nairobi and is alleged to have been married to several Al Shabaab operatives throughout her years and is believed to have left for Somalia early this year.
“It is believed she was recruited for a possible suicide bombing mission. While the target and timing is unknown, it is likely that Shamim will reach out to her friends and family, some of whom live in Nairobi. Kenya Police request the public to provide any information regarding Shamim to prevent Al Shabaab’s attack plans,” the report shows.
The intelligence report indicates that both Mr Juma and Mr Mwok hail from Siaya County and were born in 1982 and 1981 respectively.
Mwok is said to have joined Jeysh Ayman in 2013, a Coast-based Al Shabaab active cell that has its focus dedicated to Lamu targets. The group has close to 160 fighters.
Baure attack
The Kenya Defence Force killed the group’s leader, Luqman Osman Issa, alongside his close associates Said Abdalla Hemed (Kenyan) and Thomas Anthony Evans aka Musa (British).
Mr Kioko, who is alleged to have disappeared three years ago from the central business district, lived in Majengo.
It is the same Kioko about whom the National Intelligence Service (NIS) forwarded to the police a report in June this year, indicating that he was behind the Baure Military Camp attempted attack.
Brothers radicalised
The report shows that Shamim was also married to Swaleh Kibet, who died while fighting for Al Shaabab in Somalia. She went to Somalia early this year after being recruited by Eric Ogada.
Mr Owiti is a brother to the late Hassan Omondi alias Budalangi, who participated in several attacks in Nairobi in 2012. The two brothers are said to have been radicalised by attending lessons at Pumwani’s Riyadha mosque.
In May, the European Union (EU) Parliament voted to supply Kenya with military aid to bolster the war against Al Shabaab.
In an overwhelming vote (578 votes to 31, with 34 abstentions), members asked the EU to equip the Kenyan army and police to help fight the militants.
Stay informed. Subscribe to our newsletter