Salad Tari Gufu, 25, a Moi university graduate who police have announced he is a wanted terror suspect has denied any links with any terror ring.
“I am not involved in any terror activities and I am not armed like the police are saying. I am a student at the Moi University and I just completed my attachment waiting to resume my studies in September after the elections,” he told Daily Nation.
“I am a fourth year student pursuing a bachelor’s degree in the faculty of education in Moi University (main campus) I am being suspected for a crime that I am not even capable of…. Salad wasn’t, isn’t and won’t be a terrorist.”
Police have placed a sh2 million bounty on him Wednesday. He was termed as a recruiter and a facilitator of the outlawed militia group.
But on Thursday, the 25-year old student presented himself to Huruma Police Station accompanied by his family.
He denied police reports that he has been out of the country were trying to sneak back on Wednesday following the report through the help of his brother.
He also stands accused of opening a studio in Marsabit where he allegedly sells CDs with radicalization as its content.
“He is also affiliated to Mohammed Abdi Ali aka Abu Fidaa, an online Islamic State recruiter. Abu Fidaa was arrested before he could launch an Anthrax attack in Kenya in 2016,” reads a statement by police.
His sister RahmaTari said that one of their brothers is an al shabaab member. His two younger brothers who are on police’s list of wanted terror suspects are not.
“My younger brother is not a terrorist but the older one is, and we disowned him,” she said.
Tari also said that Gufu has not left the country as alleged and he has been teaching at a school in Pangani.
“He was home for holidays, during which he has been teaching at a school in Pangani.”
Her older brother Gufu Tari Gufu is a confirmed terrorist.
“He disappeared one day and we really searched but could not find him. One day he called to say he was in Somalia. We disowned him. We questioned him but he never explained himself,” said Tari.
He is believed to have been involved in the recent hijacking of Public Works PS Mariam El Maawy at Milihoi area last week.
Police have also placed a sh2 million bounty on him too.
Nairobi Police Commander Japheth Koome said they are reviewing the statement and will give feedback later.