US terrorism suspect released in Nanyuki

A foreigner who had been arrested by Kenya Air Force soldiers in Nanyuki town with suspicion of being a terrorist has been set free after it was established that he is a student. Bosco Gideon Bradshaw, 24, was released on Thursday after being interrogated by the soldiers and criminal investigation officers. Laikipia East police boss Joshua Lutukai told members of the press that after questioning, it was established that Bradshaw is a student at Pittsburg University in the US. He said the American, who is also an ex-Army officer in the US, is conducting research on political conflict between Kenya and Somalia.

Bradshaw, a political science student, was arrested at Joskaki Hotel on Wednesday night together with his guide and taken to Laikipia Airbase camp in the outskirts of Nanyuki town. He was suspected of being a terrorist and that he was planning to bomb the hotel that is at the centre of Nanyuki town.

When contacted, the student said “The authorities became suspicious because I am a foreigner asking about Somalia and other aspects of the political situation here. They thought I was trying to become a terrorist.” His guide whom the police did not name and who lives in Asian quarters estate in Nanyuki town was also released. Tension and anxiety remained high in the town on Wednesday night and the better part of Thursday after the news broke out that there was a terrorist planning an attack.