An unexploded grenade found near Kenyan PM's office

Police officers with sniffer dogs enter Prime Minister Raila Odinga's office September 20, 2011 as massive police operation was launched after an unexploded grenade was found nearby. Photo/WILLIAM OERI/DAILY NATION  

A massive police operation was launched on Tuesday after an unexploded grenade was found near Prime Minister Raila Odinga's office.

Police cordoned off the area and swept the Shell and BP House including the basement with the help of sniffer dogs. Mr Odinga and staff members were evacuated after the alarm was raised.

A plumber doing repairs on the drainage system of the building found the object, a hand grenade, in the rubble yard. The yard is at the rear entrance, southern side of the building and usually collects construction debris from the building.

Police deputy spokesman Charles Owino later told reporters that the object had been taken to the Defence headquarters for examination.

Mr Odinga's office on Harambee Avenue, is located across a busy street from that of President Kibaki. Source: Daily Nation/ Posted September 20, 2011/ Reported by Aggrey Mutambo