Police have arrested a British national suspected to be involved in the smuggling of explosives, which have been used in a number of terror attacks in the country.

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations yesterday said Ferrie Dareen was arrested at the Moi international Airport in Mombasa by detectives from the Garissa Anti-terrorism Police Unit (ATPU) following the recovery of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) which they believe were procured by him.

At the time of his arrest, the terror attack suspect was in possession of two mobile phones and a MacBook computer.

The detectives confiscated devices, which they said would help in forensic analysis and counter terrorism tracing to find any information that can be used in investigations. 

Dareen is said to have entered the country on September 7 and has visited several times.

“His motives for the visits still remain unclear as officers claim he is connected to several people in Kenya and Somalia.  He also had a valid British visa and passport No.123477684,” the DCI said.

The suspect was transferred to Nairobi where the detectives also visited his Skynet residence in Westlands as investigations continue.

The suspect seems to have been under surveillance by the detectives.

Kenya has been one of the key targets for terror attacks most of which are linked to Al-Shabaab.  

The country has experienced uncountable attacks including high-profile ones such as the Westgate mall attack, which claimed the lives of at least 67 people and left over 150 injured, and the Dusit attack that killed 21. 

As Kenya, this month celebrated anniversaries for the major terrorist attacks in the past, the United States, on September 13,2024 issued a travel advisory to its citizens in the country urging them to exercise increased caution due to the risks of terrorism and kidnapping.