Police finally arrest Egerton student sought over terror messages posted online

Security was tight at Egerton University after threatening messages were posted online. Robert Mungai, a student from the university who was being sought over the postings was arrested by police on Wednesday evening, April 8, 2015. PHOTO | SULEIMAN MBATIAH | NATION MEDIA GROUP 

In Summary

• Nakuru County Police Commander John Koki Mwanga Thursday morning confirmed that Mungai had been arrested on Wednesday night.
• The police commander said Mungai was arrested at a petrol station in Nakuru’s industrial area.
• Police had placed a Sh2 million prize on Mungai after he went into hiding following the posting of the threatening messages on the Internet.
• In his posting, Mr Mungai had indicated that there would be a terror attack at Egerton Univesity, Njoro campus.

By JAMES KARIUKI
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Police in Nakuru have finally arrested Robert Mungai, a student at Egerton University who was being sought after messages threatening a terrorist attack on the institution were posted online.

Without giving details, Nakuru County Police Commander John Koki Mwanga on Thursday morning confirmed that Mungai had been arrested on Wednesday night.

He said Mungai was being questioned by detectives and that a comprehensive statement would be given later in the day.

The police commander said Mungai was arrested at a petrol station in Nakuru’s industrial area.

Police have been looking for Mungai, alias Robert Mohammed Bluez, for posting that he would be involved in a terrorist attack on the university.

Mr Mungai’s post had initially led to the arrest of two other students, Alex Wachira and Titus Ngare last Friday at the main campus in Njoro.

SHARED OUT OF CONCERN

The two were later released after it emerged they had shared out the message out of concern but were not the ones who initiated it.

Police plan to treat the two students who spent a day in the cells at Njoro as witnesses when the case is finally presented before court.

Egerton University Students Association acting chairman Fredrick Juma said the two were reported to the security department by fellow students for posting messages warning of an impending attack.

He said the messages were posted on the Egerton University's students' Facebook page and on Twitter.

Police had placed a Sh2 million prize on Mungai after he went into hiding following the posting of the threatening messages on the Internet.

The 21-year-old Mungai who was born and raised at Nakuru’s Bondeni estate completed his secondary education in 2012 before joining the university.

Thursday, Njoro Divisional Police Commander Frederick Lai confirming holding the student who is helping police with investigations.

In his posting, Mr Mungai had indicated that there would be a terror attack at Egerton Univesity, Njoro campus.