State sends four detectives to Uganda

By Cyrus Ombati

Top security officers discussed effects of Sunday’s bombing in Uganda, with the Government sending detectives to join in the hunt for terrorists behind the attack.

The officers, who met yesterday under the chairmanship of Nairobi PC Njoroge Ndirangu, wanted to review security measures to deter any such acts in the city.

Insiders said the meeting had been summoned to specifically discuss the threat of terrorism in Nairobi.

The Provincial Security and Intelligence Committee (PSIC) meeting also discussed other security issues affecting residents.

Present was Nairobi Area NSIS boss Hillary Wambugu, deputy PPO Moses Ombati and PCIO Futu Mwachai. "Given there were substances like detonators found in Kampala, it was necessary to meet and chart the way forward," said a senior official, who asked for anonymity.

Sources said the meeting resolved to ask respective police commanders and social joints’ managers to be vigilant. "Kenyans also need to be careful to ensure suspicious characters are identified in time. Police cannot be all over," said the source, who asked not to be named.

Left for Kampala

Meanwhile, the four anti-terrorism detectives left Nairobi on Monday, hours after President Kibaki pledged support to the neighbouring country.

"In the spirit of East African Community, we are in Kampala to help them and also know the mode used to commit the crime," said the head of Anti-terrorism Police Nicholas Kamwende on the telephone.

President Kibaki sent condolences to Ugandans.

"I pledge the full support of the Government of Kenya in working together with your Excellency’s Government to bring the perpetrators to justice," said Kibaki in a letter to Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni.

Kibaki commended the country’s commitment to the desire and struggle for peace through peacekeeping missions in Somalia.

The suicide attack on an Ethiopian restaurant in Kampala left 74 people who had been watching World Cup finals between Spain and Netherlands dead. About 70 people were injured in the attack.