Search continues for Egerton student over terror scare

A vehicle is searched by a security guard at the entrance to the Egerton University campus in Njoro, Nakuru county on April 4, 2015. There was increased security at the campus after messages threatening a terrorist attack on the institution were posted online, leading to the arrest of two students and a manhunt for a third. PHOTO | SULEIMAN MBATIAH |  NATION MEDIA GROUP

In Summary

• Police intensify manhunt for Robert Mungai who threatened an attack on the university.
• Two students were arrested on Saturday for posting similar threats.

By WANJIRU MACHARIA
More by this Author

Police in Nakuru have intensified the search for an Egerton University student who posted threatening messages on the internet.

Nakuru County Commissioner Mohamed Birik said police are searching for Robert Mungai alias Robert Mohammed Bluez for posting that he would be involved in a terrorist attack on the university.

There was tension on Saturday after two students, Alex Wachira and Titus Ngare, were arrested at the university's campus in Njoro at around 11pm for posting similar messages.

The acting chairman of the Egerton University Student Association, 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.

"They talked of an imminent attack on Egerton and even posted a Google Maps image of the university's location with clear directions to the facility," Mr Juma said.

He said the administration had asked for more police patrols at night as a result of the tension on campus.

WOULD BE CHARGED

Mr Birik confirmed the arrests, saying they would be charged with causing fear and propagating terrorist messages.

He warned young people against using social media to cause fear and animosity, saying those found culpable would be dealt with firmly.

Mr Birik said measures were in place to ensure Nakuru was safe for locals and tourists.

"We have intensified security surveillance in Pipeline and Njoro, (at) shopping malls and all government installations," he said.

The two students are being held at Njoro Police Station. Calls to the Vice Chancellor's mobile phone seeking a comment went unanswered.

The university's security department told journalists to seek a response from the police, the county administration or the Vice Chancellor.