This archive report was first published on 14 August 2019.
On August 11, 2019, three men were arrested in Nairobi for allegedly taking pictures of Villa Rosa Kempinski hotel, sparking concerns of a potential terror plot.
Abdi Mohammed Guled, Ibrahim Mohammed Guled, and Mohammed Bashi Aden were detained by police after they were found in possession of several items, including Kenyan IDs, mobile phones, and electronic gadgets.
The police have forwarded these items to the Anti-Terrorism Police Unit laboratories for forensic analysis.
According to an affidavit filed by Sergeant Joseph Mwiti, the suspects were taking covert photographs of the hotel and failed to provide a satisfactory explanation for their actions.
The investigating officer has requested five days to detain the suspects, citing the need to collect more information about their associates and examine their digital prints and social media accounts.
The suspects are being investigated for conspiracy to commit a terrorist act and being members of a terrorist group, offenses that attract jail terms of between 20 and 30 years.
The police have urged the court not to grant the suspects bail, citing a flight risk.
