Bartamaha (Kampala):-Terrorists who bombed Kampala in July were planning similar attacks in Kenya, according to government security reports.
The intelligence report shared between Ugandan and Kenyan authorities seen by the Nation shows the plan was scuttled after joint anti-terror operations by police in East Africa and the arrest of the suspects.
“Planning for a twin bombing in Nairobi and Mombasa starts upon the successful execution of the Kampala attack,” reads part of the report.
It says the plans started on July 12, just a day after the Kampala blasts that killed 76 people.
So far, 34 suspects have been arrested, including 12 Kenyans. They are facing trial in Uganda.
The report identifies the key suspects, the roles they played in executing the terror plan and how it was done.
The report identifies 15 people who were actively involved, either as plotters or executors.
On July 11, a person only identified as Issa, arrived in Nairobi from Uganda and met a Mr Jabir and another man identified as Mohamed Ali.
“He briefs Jabir that the bombers are fine and that everything is on course. Jabir added that he, together with Amar, were planning to leave for Somalia,” reads the report.
It also mentions a Mr Mugisha, who Jabir described as “a brother and part of the original group,” saying that he was being held in custody and that Issa should ensure he was freed.
After the meeting Issa left for Mombasa at 1pm.
It also mentions meetings held in Uganda by two other suspects, Edris and Hassan, who are said to have helped the suicide bombers in their final preparations.
Among the Kenyans in custody is Muslim Human Rights Forum executive coordinator Al-Amin Kimathi.
Regarding his arrest, the intelligence report said he is being investigated over possible links to terrorism.
The report further claims that documents, which the authors claim were plans of the Uganda bombing, were found in his possession.
Over the years, Mr Kimathi has been on a collision course with police in Kenya over his vocal defence of and advocacy for Muslims arrested on suspicion of terrorism.
Earlier in the year, he was in the lead of protests against the deportation of radical Jamaican preacher Sheikh Abdullah al-Faisal that saw some protesters wave the flag of al-Shabaab, the al-Qaeda-allied Somali terror group, in the streets of Nairobi.
The report makes serious allegations against Mr Kimathi, claiming that his work aids the propaganda wing of al-Qaeda, which has active operatives throughout East Africa.
Lawyer Mbugua Mureithi, who was arrested alongside Mr Kimathi in Uganda but later released on Saturday without charge, said the organisation Mr Kimathi works for has legitimate sources of funding.
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Source: Daily Nation
