Police on high alert over possible terror attack

By Cyrus Ombati

Nairobi, Kenya: Police in Nairobi are on high alert after they were informed that a car packed with explosives was headed for a mission in the city centre.

The navy blue Subaru Forester car registration number KAQ152E, said to be carrying ready bombs for detonation then, drove through dragnets on Thursday as police sounded an alarm saying they wanted it.

It has not been found since then and it is not clear if the information on it carrying the explosives is indeed credible. This was after it emerged that the same gang of three had changed the explosives to another car on Thursday night.

Detectives have been put on alert in the city and want the public at large to be vigilant and help them in tracing it.

The car was spotted in Ngara area and Tom Mboya Street in the city but sped off as police chased it on foot because of the heavy traffic jam that was being experienced then.

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Some police officers have blamed their colleagues for enabling the car to evade their dragnet arguing had they been keen, it could have been intercepted.

“We wonder how and why the car managed to pass through the city centre when it had been widely circulated following intelligence it had explosives. There was laxity if indeed the information was correct,” said a senior officer who asked not to be named.

This was after intelligence reports emerged that the car was carrying the explosives and the occupants planned to launch an attack on a building.

Security has since been beefed up on major malls and buildings that were named as possible targets.

Police also want the public to be vigilant and careful especially at bus stops, which are also in the list of targets.

Nairobi Area head of CID Nicholas Kamwende said they had visited the Registrar of Motor Vehicles for details on the ownership of the car as part of their investigations into its whereabouts.

“We do not want to dismiss anything like that and that is why we are appealing for public involvement in this war. Our officers are on the ground looking for it,” he said.

He added records at the registrar showed the car is black but urged for public assistance in getting it. Those with details can call 0729999988 or 0202724154.