One Arrested As 25kg Explosive Consignment Destined For Moyale Recovered

NAIROBI, Kenya, Jul 10- Police in Pangani are holding a man, after a 25kg explosive consignment that had been concealed as spare parts was recovered in Nairobi’s Eastleigh area.

The consignment had been sent from Migori County to Moyale through Eastleigh, according to police.

But it is upon reaching Eastleigh for transfer to a Moyale bound bus that it was discovered, after the driver raised alarm.

“We are holding the man for questioning. It is not yet clear why he concealed the explosives as spare parts,” Starehe Police boss Julius Kiragu told Shahidi News.

According to detectives, the man said the explosives were to be used in a quarry, but “he did not have a license. You are also not supposed to transport such explosives using public means.”

So far, police said there is no terror links to the incident, but said investigations were underway.

“Those explosives can be used to manufacture anything. That is why we cannot just make conclusions without investigations,” SCPC Kiragu said.

It is however the ongoing clashes in Marsabit between two communities that have left police on heightened vigilance.

Tens of people have been killed in days of violence, in a new wave that has political undertones.

Already, a team of General Service Unit officers has been deployed in the expansive County bordering Ethiopia, to restore peace.

Earlier this year in March, a 24 year old woman was arrested after being found in possession of 3 grenades and teargas canisters in Sololo area of Moyale in Marsabit county.

The directorate of criminal investigations revealed that the suspect was arrested aboard a Marsabit bound vehicle from Moyale town.

The grenades and teargas canisters were concealed in a handbag found with the suspect.