US Embassy In Kenya Issues Terror Alert

The US embassy in Nairobi issued a terror notice on Thursday, February 9, 202may3, warning that terrorists among its citizens may target high-traffic places frequented by foreigners and tourists in Kenya's capital and other places in the country.

According to the embassy, the locations remain appealing targets for terrorists plotting potentially imminent assaults.

“Terrorist groups could attack with little or no warning, targeting hotels, embassies, restaurants, malls and markets, schools, police stations, places of worship, and other places frequented by foreigners and tourists,” an alert issued read.

It further stated that the Kenyan government has strengthened counter-terrorism patrols.

The embassy advises its nationals to remain vigilant in tourist/foreign areas, to evaluate their security preparations, and to be mindful of their surroundings.

It is unclear what sparked the fresh and first alarm of the year.

Officials suspect scores of al-Shabaab terrorists have infiltrated the city from Somalia and are plotting an attack.

This comes on the heels of continued operations in Somalia aimed at the extremist group.

Kenya has been the target of terrorism on numerous occasions.

Terrorists typically violate the major Kenya-Somalia border and attack at random, killing dozens and injuring many more.

Kenyan police have increased patrols and operations in response to the new threats.

Terrorists carried out their most lethal attack on Kenya on  April 2, 2015, when gunmen invaded Garissa University College in Garissa, killing 148 people and wounding 79 or more.

Several others have been foiled by police.

Last week, while discussing the situation of security in the country over the last 100 days, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki stated that they had increased their efforts to combat the threat of terrorism.

“We have disrupted many terror plots at source, neutralised and/or arrested dozens of suspected terrorists, and destroyed a huge cache of weapons and explosives that could have badly harmed our people if they were not intercepted.”

“The current crackdown on al-Shabaab terror cells in Somalia which is spearheaded by local community leaders with the support of the Federal Government of Somalia has tremendously weakened this militant group,” he said.

He went on to say that they have improved intelligence gathering to stay several steps ahead of the enemy and that they are always aware that terrorists only need one lucky break to harm the country and inflict pain.

“We must always strike first and fast to neutralise them and obliterate their nefarious networks.”

The CS stated that while dedicated officers in elite specifically trained specialized groups stay committed to keeping terror at bay, their colleagues on general duties have contributed to drastically cutting the country's overall crime rate in recent months.