Police stated Monday that the four men seized in Garissa while carrying four guns, 19 magazines, and 500 rounds were not terrorists.
They are personnel of the National Police Reserve stationed in Wajir County, Kenya, near the Kenya-Somalia border.
According to a senior police officer, they have been assisting local police in finding and combating al-Shabaab terrorists who had crossed from Somalia for a mission.
According to officials informed of the proceedings, the four were apprehended on Sunday, April 30 after traveling to Garissa without informing local security authorities.
They were apprehended near Nuno in Garissa County.
Balaclavas, a ballistic helmet, a dagger, a machete, and multiple mobile phones were also recovered from the four. They were in a white Toyota Probox.
On Sunday, once word of the arrest circulated, efforts were made to release the men on cash bail pending the outcome of the investigation. Officials want to know why they moved to Garissa without informing the appropriate authorities.
An officer believes they were assisting the transfer of illegal products.
According to other accounts, the servicemen have been instrumental in combating terrorism and al-Shabaab insurgents in the area.
