Live cat abandoned in bag causes bomb scare in Nairobi

By CYRUS OMBATI

Nairobi, Kenya: A live cat was Thursday morning found in a bag that had been abandoned at the gate of offices along Riverside Drive, Nairobi.

The bag was initially thought to have contained a bomb prompting evacuation from the offices which include those of Synovate.

Police said they were informed the bag was dropped there by motorists who were driving in a Probox. The motorists drove off and their particulars were not taken but investigations have been launched.

“When we were called we took precautions and checked only to find a cat inside,” said Nairobi police boss Benson Kibue.

He urged for continued vigilance in the wake of terror threats.

“People should not give up. We urge for their continued support and vigilance.”

The area was later cleared and the cat taken away. The incident came a day after Development House, along Moi Avenue, was cordoned off after members of the public spotted an unattended luggage outside an ATM booth.

The place where the bag had been abandoned is directly opposite Nakumatt supermarket, Moi avenue branch.

Police arrived at the scene, evacuated staff and customers from the Nakumatt supermarket and waited for the bomb experts to arrive.

The bomb experts blew up the suspicious black bag and found no explosive device inside.

The contents of the bag included a bible, a German dictionary, a pen and a key.

Kibue has urged the public to avoid such areas.

“If there is a place thought to be containing a bomb, we urge the public to keep off,” said Kibue.

A similar scare was reported in Kisumu on Wednesday. There was no bomb inside. Terror threats are on the increase in the country amid calls for vigilance.

More than 30 blasts have happened in the last one year.