Kenya's previous terror arrests and prosecution

By CYRUS OMBATI

Elgiva Bwire Oliacha, a recent Kenyan Muslim convert, was arrested in connection with two blasts, one at Mwaura’s Bar and the second at OTC Bus Terminus in Nairobi. He was sentenced to life in prison.

Going by the adopted name Mohamed Seif, he reportedly smiled at cameras, stated that he harboured no regrets, and indicated that he would not appeal his sentence.

On September 20, 2012, Abdimajid Yasin Mohamed, alias Hussein, was sentenced to 59-years in prison. He was charged alongside Abdi Adan alias Salman Abdi, who denied the allegations and whose case is still pending. Yasin was ordered to undergo psychiatric examination after he pleaded guilty upon arrest on September 14. Doctors found him fit to stand trial. The two suspects were arrested in Eastleigh with bombs, grenades and a cache of weapons that included six suicide bombs, 12 grenades, four AK 47 rifles and 480 bullets as police thwarted a major terror plot in Nairobi.

Police arrested a suspect, Thabit Jamaldin Yahya, following an attack at Mombasa Bella Vista Hotel. He is still in remand.

On September 29, police arrested over 60 people in possession of bomb making materials. The arrested were on board a bus from Garissa to Nairobi when police discovered the materials. They all disowned the luggage.