Al Qaida helpers arrested

last updated 8 January 2015

Nairobi

Under U.S. pressure, Kenyan authorities have finally arrested four people in connection with the bombing of an Israeli-owned hotel in Mombasa last November. The four men, who have ties to al Qaida’s East Africa ringleader Fazul Abdullah Mohammed, allegedly helped plan the attack, which killed 10 Kenyans and three Israelis, along with three suicide bombers. The men were questioned several times earlier this year, but they were always released without being charged. U.S. diplomats last week complained that Kenya was not doing enough to crack down on al Qaida. Justice Minister Kiraitu Murungi said he hoped this week’s arrests demonstrated his country’s resolve. “As a matter of fact, we are taking action,” he said.