Confusion over Irish ‘suspect’ in Mombasa Blast

By Jelimo Chelagat

Confusion has clouded claims of an Irish woman’s involvement in Sunday’s Mombasa blast.

The Telegraph published an article on Tuesday stating that Kenyan Police are searching for Samantha Lewthwaite in connection to a blast that killed three and injured 25 in Mishomoroni, Mombasa.

According to the article, the woman was seen around the bar prior to the blast in the company of two Arab men. The three were also said to have visited Catholic churches in the area.

The article went further to state that a Kenyan official said "We suspect Samantha Lewthwaite was actively involved in the terrorist attack on the club,"

These claims come into question since Kenyan police have already apprehended a suspect, Athman Salim, in connection with the blast.

“Anti-Terrorism Police Unit arrested him (Salim). They have suspicions and they want to get some information about him,” said Coast PCIO Ambrose Munyasia on Monday.

Hours after the first article, The Telegraph published another piece stating that Kenyan police have denied claims of Lewthwaite’s suspicion in the blast.

Speaking to The Standard on Wednesday, Police Spokesman Eric Kiraithe denied claims that Lewthwaite is in the country adding that the force had searched for her in all possible places.

Samantha Lewthwaite is the widow of one of the 7/7 bombers responsible for killing 26 people aboard a Piccadilly Line train in England.