41 foreigners caught illegally installing powerful communications equipment in Nairobi

Director of Criminal Investigations Ndegwa Muhoro

NAIROBI: Twenty two Chinese and 19 Taiwanese nationals have been arrested after being found setting up high tech communications equipment in a house in Runda, Nairobi. They also had 14 laptops and eight mobile phones.

According to the Director of Criminal Investigations Ndegwa Muhoro, the suspects arrived as tourists between January and February this year on visas that were to last for three months.

"They were at last stages of setting up the command centre similar to the one we dismantled here last year. We believe they are involved in international scheming of money where people loose cash electronically. This is a serious crime. They will take plea." Muhoro said.

All 41 suspects were staying in a massive bungalow in the posh estate. Neighbours said they would all leave in vans at night and come with food.

The owner of the house has been questioned. Muhoro said they are looking for a housing agent identified only as Njoro.

The arrests comes less than a week after another group of 37 Chinese was released by a court for lack of evidence in similar charges.