DCI seeks 14-day detention for two men arrested with explosives near Wanjigi's home

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has made an application to detain two men arrested with four items suspected to be hand grenades in Muthaiga, Nairobi on Tuesday, August 8.

Dancan Odhiambo Otieno and Calvin Ochieng Odongo were arrested outside politician Jimi Wanjigi's home along Muthaiga Road.

Detective Constable Andrew Njagi of Nairobi Central DCI offices told the court that he is investigating a case of being in possession of explosives contrary to section 6 (1) as read with section 29 of the Explosives Act Cap115 laws of Kenya.

He asked the court for orders to detain the two respondents - Otieno and Odongo at the Central police station for 14 days.

The two were arrested while in possession of a motor vehicle registration number KDC 883R, a black Toyota Prado.

In an affidavit filed at the Milimani Law Courts, Njagi said the driver of the vehicle escaped the police officers who had traced it from Nairobi Central Business District (CBD) but the two were arrested in it.

"Upon the arrest of the respondents, a thorough search was conducted to the said vehicle and there, several items were recovered which included suspected four explosive hand grenades, black in colour, two pocket phones make Baofeng, seven pocket phone chargers, three mobile phones and a national identity card belonging (name withheld)," stated Njagi in the affidavit in part.

The detective said the two were escorted to the Central police station where they were booked in at about 7 pm and the police were not able to conclude investigations which required more time.

Njagi said he needs more time to subject the suspected explosives to the Bomb Disposal experts for analysis and submit the communication devices to the Communication Authority of Kenya to ascertain whether they are licensed and permitted to be used in Kenya.

He added that the respondents need to be interrogated by multi-agencies on the motive of the explosives due to the security danger they pose.

But the two respondents' lawyer John Andati dismissed the application as unwarranted as all the investigations where the Otieno and Odongo are required to assist, can be concluded in two days.

Andati invited the court to consider that it is being asked to allow police to detain the two and deny them their freedom just to investigate phone chargers and consider the application unnecessary.

But Senior Principal Prosecution Counsel Herbert Sonye said the investigations being carried out are extensive and complex hence requiring the duration sought by Njagi.

Chief Magistrate Benard Ochoi will rule on the application on Monday, August 12.