Jan 4 – Kenyan police have obtained a warrant of arrest against a British woman they accuse of having links with terrorists in the country, particularly the notorious Al Shabaab militants.

The warrant on Natalie Faye Webb was issued on Wednesday by a Mombasa court, barely a week after Police Spokesman Erick Kiraithe circulated the woman’s photograph.

Police headquarters in Nairobi alleges that Webb has links with terrorists.

The arrest order was issued by Chief Magistrate Lillian Mutende following an application lodged by Anti Terrorism Police Unit (ATPU) detectives who want to question her.

“I direct Anti Terrorism Police Unit to arrest Ms Natalia Faye Webb of Britain and a local Kenyan Habib Saleh Gani with immediate effect,” the Magistrate ordered.

“Kenya cannot take any chance as far as acts of terrorism are concerned,” she added.

According to the police, Webb is suspected to be part of a terrorist network which has been operating in Kenya.

On Saturday, Police Headquarters released photographs of 15 people believed to have information that can help in unravelling Al Shabaab criminal activities.

The 15 are alleged to have left Kismayu recently, for Kenya, with some believed to have already entered the country with the intent of engaging in criminal activities.

The Police spokesman said the group comprises of nine Kenyans, two Asians and four Somalis aged between 24 and 32 years.

“Police have information that all the 15 left Kismayu recently headed for Kenya and some are believed to be already in the country,” the Police Spokesman said and urged members of the public to work closely with the police.

Police believe that most of the Kenyan suspects have resided in Majengo areas of both Nairobi and Mombasa, before leaving for Somalia about a year ago.

The police have asked anyone with information on their whereabouts to report to the nearest police station.

They include Ramadhan Kioko, Mwarabu, Amar, Juma Ayub, Jamadar, Farhani Ayub, Ericko Budalangi, Bashir, Baba Nawal, Athman Hamed aka Asu, Abdi Samadi Wadud and Ali Hashim Muhogo.

Another suspect who goes by the name Habib Saleh Ghani alias Osama has been classified as ‘very dangerous’ by police sources.

According to a police source, Bashir is believed to have played a crucial role in masterminding the kidnapping of a French woman in early October.

“We have found cause to believe that he was instrumental in planning and executing the kidnap of the French woman,” said the police source.

The handicapped Frenchwoman (Marie Dedieu, aged 66) who later died was seized from her beachfront home on Manda Island in the Lamu archipelago and taken to neighbouring Somalia.

Over Christmas, police also released names of two men allegedly linked with the Al Shabaab.

Hussein Nderitu Abbas of Siaya District and Sylvester Owino Opiyo of Nyeri who surrendered to the police on Christmas Eve were later released without charges.

They reported back to the Anti Terrorism Police Unit offices on Friday where they had their bond extended to January 4.

Also on Saturday, police from the General Service Unit shot and killed three people of yet to be identified nationalities who tried to sneak into Kenya through Kiwayu.

Five AK 47 rifles, 14 magazines and 372 rounds of ammunition were also recovered and their boat seized.

Since Kenya embarked on Operation Linda Nchi in mid October last year, strict security measures across the country have been the order of the day in almost all public places.

Despite the beefed security, Kenya has suffered several attacks linked to the Al Shabaab militia group.

Source: CapitalFM – Kenya

********************

Check the Kenya archive for previous and forthcoming posts.