Terror suspect dies in Garissa

Police at the scene where the body of terror suspect was recovered May 30, 2013. The suspect died after an IED he was assembling exploded near the Garissa Provincial General Hospital at around 9pm May 29, 2013. BILLY MUTAI  

By MUCHEMI WACHIRA and ZADOCK ANGIRA

In Summary

• Police: Man was trying to plant the device on the busy Kismayu Road opposite the Garissa Provincial General Hospital when it exploded.

A suspected terrorist has died in Garissa Town, northern Kenya after an explosive device in his possession exploded.

North Eastern police chief Charlton Murithi said the man was trying to plant an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) on the busy Kismayu Road opposite the Garissa Provincial General Hospital when it exploded on Wednesday night.

The explosion was heard at night but police later recovered the badly mutilated body Thursday morning.

Police suspect the man may have been trying to rig the bomb when it exploded. Detectives took the fingerprints for identification.

Garissa Town has been under siege from terrorists who attack at will targeting security agents and locals.

In February, suspected suicide bombers died in the town after a bomb he was assembling exploded. The IED was to be planted on a dais at Garissa Primary School grounds

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Mr Muriithi has asked the residents to assist security personnel in fighting terrorism by reporting suspicious activities.