OTC explosion: Dead man an ex-convict, say police

By Cyrus Ombati

Fingerprints have identified the man, Patrick Musembi Nzuiku, who died at the OTC bus stop in Nairobi in a grenade explosion as a robbery ex-convict.

Police on Wednesday said emerging details had shown Musembi was convicted with robbery but later released after finishing his term last year.

Police are investigating whether he is the one who had the grenade that also killed him and whether terror gangs had used him as a suicide bomber.

Nobody had so far shown up at the City Mortuary to claim the body but Nairobi Area PPO Anthony Kibuchi said they had dispatched a team of detectives to Nzuiku’s rural home to gather more information regarding his movements.

"We have established he has a history of violent robberies. We want to know where he had been before his body was found at the scene and if he was involved," said Kibuchi.

Police who had inspected the body after the explosion said he did not have any identification documents to show who he is.

He had only sh2 in his pockets when a search was conducted on the body. He wore blue jeans and sports shoes at the time of the incident.

The officers also concluded the grenade used in the attack was an old defensive type which has dual action fuze, with both impact and time delay functions.

The one that was used in the Mwaura bar was an F1 Russian made explosive similar to the one that was used to kill two police officers in December 2009 in Kasarani area.

Anti terror police who have taken over both cases of grenade attacks in Nairobi said they expect to make more arrests.

Seven victims of the grenade explosion at OTC bus stop are still admitted at the Kenyatta National Hospital with multiple injuries.

All top police officers in Nairobi met to strategise how to deal with the new threat of terrorism. The meeting at the PPO’s office also discussed a planned swoop on illegal immigrants in the city.

Anthony Kibuchi, the police boss said the operations will continue as planned to flush out people believed to be sympathisers of Somalia’s Al-Shabaab group.

Commissioner of Police, Mathew Iteere on Wednesday renewed his appeal for public support in dealing with the new terror threats saying police alone cannot do it.

"If you see a new neighbour try to know who she or he is and if need be, inform the police to inquire into the individual or individuals," he said.

He also asked lodging and hotel proprietors to always keep register of all visitors to their premises. He spoke following a case where a businessman in Eastleigh was charged in court for failing to keep records of his lodging’s visitors.

In hotels and other public places, Iteere asked the public to always be sure of their safety.

"If you are in a public place, always try to know what is happening around you. Don’t just sit thinking police will be there to protect you. It is time that Kenyans became patriotic to help in containing this menace," he said.

Iteere also asked hotel, church and other social joints’ owners to take measures to ensure safety of their clients.