NAIROBI (WDN) — Kenyan police have announced the arrest of a man found carrying explosive materials in a backpack during a security operation in Nairobi late on Tuesday. The arrest took place in the Eastleigh neighborhood, a bustling commercial and residential area of the capital often under close security scrutiny.

According to a police spokesperson, the man’s suspicious behavior caught the attention of patrol officers, who stopped him for questioning. A search of his backpack revealed alarming contents — powdered chemicals believed to be used in bomb-making, 21 detonators, and a five-meter-long electrical wire, all consistent with components for assembling improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

The suspect, said to be in his twenties, was taken into custody at a local police station in Eastleigh before being handed over to the Anti-Terror Police Unit (ATPU), which is now leading the investigation. Authorities have not released his identity or confirmed his nationality, with police sources indicating that background checks are underway to determine whether he is a Kenyan citizen or a foreign national.

Security analysts say the arrest raises fresh concerns about potential terror threats in Nairobi and surrounding regions. While no group has claimed responsibility or been linked to the suspect, Kenyan authorities remain on high alert, particularly in urban centers and transport hubs.

“The suspect is being interrogated to establish his intentions, potential accomplices, and whether he is linked to any known extremist networks,” a senior security official told Dayniile.com.

The ATPU is expected to issue a full report in the coming days, as Kenyans await further clarification on whether this incident was an isolated case or part of a broader terror plot.

Police have urged the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity, noting that the swift action of the officers likely averted a potential tragedy.

WardheerNews