Police fail to charge terror suspects

By CYRUS OMBATI

The four people who were arrested by police over the Machakos Country Bus station blast were Tuesday grilled for the third day running and released without charges being preferred against them.

They were, however, ordered to report back to the Anti-Terror Police Unit on Friday. Police are investigating the incident that killed seven people and injured over 60 others.

The four include three minors who were accompanying a man who police had in December branded a remnant of Al Shabaab.

The main suspect is Sylvester Opiyo, who according to their lawyer Mr Chacha Mwita, was assisting his sister to move into a house in Umoja Estate, Nairobi, on Sunday morning when they were arrested.

The others were identified as Swaleh Ali, 13, Mustafa Gathogo, 14 and Victor Otieno, 16. Opiyo, who is also known as Musa Osodo, had been on a police watchlist since he was released unconditionally from custody in December.

His name and that of Hussein Nderitu Abbas alias Mohamed and their photographs had been circulated to the media as wanted persons.

Mwita said Swaleh was due to join Form One while Otieno is already in Form One in one of the city schools.

"Police took ipods, mobile phones and Sh200 from the boys. All minors were interrogated and statements recorded from them before their fingerprints and photographs were taken without the presence of a lawyer or guardian," said Mwita.

Confiscated items

The four were arrested in Umoja Estate as they moved household goods into a new house.

Police also confiscated both items and vehicle but later released to the father of Sylvester who delivered them to Umoja, added Mwita.

It has also emerged the blasts were five and not four as earlier reported. The death toll has reached nine.