Nairobi – Kenyan police have revealed how they prevented a major terrorist attack from taking place in Nairobi in February which would have killed hundreds of civilians.

Kenya’s Daily Nation reported on Thursday that several terror suspects had been arrested in Isiolo County in February, one of whom had booked a hotel room for almost a week near the Central Police Station in the capital, overlooking Judiciary buildings and a government installation which they had planned to target.

Inspector-General of Police Joseph Boinnet said the suspects had planned to use a Suicide Vehicle Bound Explosive Device (SVBIED) which was to be driven to Nairobi.

But before it reached its destination, the vehicle - which was loaded with approximately 80kg of TNT explosives and contained five AK-47 assault rifles, 1 099 rounds of ammunition, and 36 fully loaded magazines in their car - was intercepted by police.

After the vehicle was towed to Nairobi for scrutiny, police discovered that the suspects had laced it with eight projectiles and shrapnel materials, including ball bearings to maximise injury.