An Al-Shabaab suspect who allegedly engineered last month's attack in As-Asey Hotel in Kismayo has been arrested and is currently held for interrogation.
Kismayo Mayor Ibhahim Yusuf told Voice of America affiliate Garowe Online that security troops led by Kenya Defense Forces arrested the suspect on Wednesday.
The deadly attack, the first ever outside Modadishu, left 26 people dead among them three Kenyans. Al-Shabaab militants claimed responsibility.
"The blast rocked the popular Medina hotel formerly known as Cascasey which is located in downtown Kismayo," said security official Abdiweli Mohamed.
"Several gunmen entered and started shooting but the security forces responded quickly and engaged in a gunfight with the terrorists inside the building," he added.
The suspect has reportedly revealed how the attack was planned and executed, including the vehicle which was used in the attack.
Currently, reports indicate, the suspect is held by KDF soldiers who man Sector 2 and Sector 6 of AMISOM forces in Jubbaland state, Somalia.
Interestingly, the progress comes a week after KDF-backed Sheikh Ahmed Madobe cruised to victory in the Jubbaland regional presidential election.
Early this week, another deadly Al-Shabaab commander was arrested in the outskirts of Mogadishi. He's believed to be among those plotters in the militant group.