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18 Oct 2011

Britons arrested in Kenya ‘to be deported’

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Two British men who were arrested in Kenya are to be deported, Channel 4 News learns. They were detained on suspicion of planning to meet al-Shabaab militants in Somalia.

New recruits belonging to Somalia's al-Qaeda-linked al Shabaab rebel group march during a passing out parade at a military training base in Afgoye (Reuters)

Kenyan Police spokesman Charles Owino told Channel 4 News the two Britons, of Somali and Pakistani descent, were arrested in Kiyunga, a town on the border with Somalia at 1pm on Sunday.

He said the pair were detained along with a Kenyan national – a taxi driver who was dropping them off in the town.

Mr Owino told Channel 4 News the men were not armed. He said they were arrested on suspicion of travelling to meet the al-Shabaab group in Somalia.

The pair were transfered to Nairobi, where they were interrogated by anti-terrorism officers. Kenyan police have not charged the men and Mr Owino confirmed they were being “deported any time now”.

Read more: Kenya goes to war on al-Shabaab

Families ‘have been notified’

South Wales Police have been in contact with officers in the African country.

A statement from the force said: “South Wales Police are currently in liaison with the Kenyan authorities in respect of two British nationals who have been detained near to the border with Somalia.

“The identities of these persons have yet to be formally confirmed, both are believed to be from the Cardiff area. The families of these persons have been notified.

“South Wales Police is also in contact with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the British Embassy in Nairobi.”

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