This archive report was first published on 11 May 2021.
On Sunday, May 9, 2021, a multi-agency team comprising the Anti-terrorism Police Unit (ATPU) and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) arrested five Pakistan nationals in Kisumu County, Kenya, following intelligence reports linking them to acts of terrorism.
According to Kisumu County Police Commander Samuel Anampiu, a language barrier has posed a significant challenge in the ongoing investigations. To overcome this obstacle, the police plan to involve an interpreter to assist in interrogating the suspects before they are arraigned in court and charged.
The suspects were in possession of Pakistan passports and had been in the country for an extended period. They were tracked by the ATPU following their suspicious activities in the country and are currently detained in Kisumu.
Regional Immigration Boss Tom Anyim stated that police have up to 24 hours after arresting the accused to produce them in court and press charges. He noted that the police may request additional time to investigate the case to its conclusion and involve the Immigration Department to verify the validity of the passports.
As the investigation continues, the police have asked the public to treat the suspects as aliens pending the outcome.
