A multi-agency security team patrolling the Kanyonyoo-Embu Highway recently intercepted a Meru-bound public service vehicle (PSV) and uncovered a dangerous cache of explosives hidden in a carton. The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) revealed the discovery in a statement released on May 6, 2025. The explosives were concealed inside a medium-sized white carton branded with LATO Milk logos. Inside, the authorities found ten water gel explosives labeled “Explogel V6,” a detonating cord, and two electric detonators.
The discovery was made during a routine search of the vehicle, which was traveling from Mombasa to Meru. The security team, working in collaboration with various law enforcement agencies, conducted a thorough search of the bus, which led to the discovery of the explosives. The carton, though innocuous in appearance, contained the dangerous items that posed a significant security threat.
Following the seizure of the explosives, DCI detectives initiated an investigation to trace the sender of the package and determine the motive behind the illegal shipment. Their search eventually led them to Kakamega County, where a woman named Brenda Imboyanga Makhulungu was identified as the registered sender of the package. Makhulungu had declared the contents of the carton as “Dawa ya Maji,” a misleading description intended to conceal the true nature of the contents. The package had been processed at the Tahmeed office in Kakamega, and from there, it made its way to Mombasa before being transferred onto the Meru-bound bus.
As the investigation unfolded, additional suspects were identified. Detectives tracked down two men, David Tindi Andala and John Kariuki Kung’u, in Meru town. These individuals were linked to the explosives, and their arrests were part of the growing investigation. In total, five people are now in custody, including the bus driver and conductor, both of whom were detained for their involvement in the incident. The bus, along with the explosives, was taken to the Kanyonyo Police Station for further examination.
The detectives also focused on the role of the bus conductor, Said Rashid Amour, who was taken into custody to assist with the investigation. The authorities were keen to understand whether the bus staff had any knowledge of the illicit cargo being transported, and if so, what their involvement might have been.
The explosives in question, water gel explosives known for their high-energy properties, are typically used in demolition and mining activities. Their discovery in a public transport vehicle raised significant security concerns, particularly given the potential for them to be used in an attack or sabotage. The presence of detonators and a detonating cord added to the severity of the threat.
As part of the ongoing investigation, the DCI, in collaboration with the Anti-Terrorist Police Unit (ATPU) and Bomb Disposal Unit (BDU), has been examining the explosives to determine their intended use and the network behind the plot. The authorities have been working to piece together the movements of the suspects and understand the larger context of the operation.
At present, the investigation continues, with the five suspects in custody and the explosives being treated as key evidence. The case highlights the growing vigilance of law enforcement agencies in preventing acts of terrorism and ensuring public safety, especially in relation to the transport of dangerous goods. The authorities remain committed to following the leads to uncover the full extent of the plot and bring those responsible to justice.
