The puzzle: suspects found with a cache of arms and bullets mother and daughter

NAIROBI, Kenya, Apr 15-The two suspects that were found with an M4 sniper rifle with an effective range 500 meters and four pistols on Wednesday are a mother and daughter.

The anti-terror detectives are seeking to know why the two had the weapons and how they intended to use. They were found in their Racecourse home in Nairobi’s Dagoretti corner area.

The two were also found with a close quarter Uzi automatic submachine gun capable of firing 600 rounds per a minute and 3,700 bullets of different caliber.

“The whole thing is a puzzle,” a senior detective told Shahidi News.

Detectives from the Anti-terror Police Unit (ATPU) identified the two as Joyce Muthoni Mwihia and her mother Goretti Mwihia.

The weapons, Head of ATPU John Gachomo told Shahidi News, have since been taken to experts for a ballistic examination.

“We are still yet to know the motive of the two. We are investigating the issue,” he said.

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The two were expected in court Thursday as police investigate their motive and possible links to terrorism.

The ATPU boss said the weapons seemed to have been illegally imported into the country.

The country is on high alert, following increased terror related activities and more so in Northern Kenya.

Al-Shabaab terror group has been responsible for tens of attacks in the border region, targeting mostly civil servants and security installations.

-Terror related trends in Kenya-

Last month, three men were arrested and a cache of weapons recovered from them in a police operation in Lagdera, Garissa County.

Police said the three were transporting 8 AK7 rifles, 2,104 bullets and 20 liters of petrol along Baraki- Maalmin Road in Lagdera area when they were intercepted after a four-hour chase.

“There were also found with eight empty magazines,” detectives said. It was a major recovery that detectives described as a “a win on terrorism.”

The weapons were to be used in an undisclosed terror mission.

Still this year in February, two people were arrested and AK47 rifle with 128 bullets and two hand grenades recovered in police operation in Isiolo.

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The United States has since warn Americans against travelling to Kenya, due to among other things terror related challenges and COVID-19 pandemic.

“Terrorist attacks have occurred with little or no warning, targeting Kenyan and foreign government facilities, tourist locations, transportation hubs, hotels, resorts, markets/shopping malls, and places of worship. Terrorist acts have included armed assaults, suicide operations, bomb/grenade attacks, and kidnappings” reads the advisory.

“Due to risks to civil aviation operating in the vicinity of the Kenyan-Somali border, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM).”