Kenya Downplays Terror Alerts Issued by the US and UK

Kenya has played down the terror alert warnings issued by the United States and the United Kingdom on Thursday.

Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’oei termed the alerts as “unfortunate”, insisting that Kenya was recording major success in the fight against terrorism.

“Unilateral terror alerts are completely unfortunate but the circumstances under which they have been issued is due to pressure Al-Shabaab are feeling in Somalia from the combined efforts of Somali administration, community and our troops. They are actually on the run and it is believed that some may have crossed into our borders,” Sing’oei told Nation.

He added: “Therefore, the basis of that kind of intelligence is what has led to pre-cautionary terror alerts. It is not a red alert on an impeding thing. This is just to make people aware of their environment like over-crowded places. The effect of this alert is that this administration has beefed up security levels in critical installations like public places.”

Both the US and the UK warned of possible terror attacks in Kenya targeting places frequented by their citizens and other foreigners.

“There is a heightened threat of terrorism, including terrorist kidnappings, across Kenya. Attacks, including terrorist kidnappings, could target Westerners, including British nationals. Attacks could occur at any time, including around religious or other public holidays or celebrations,” the British High Commission in Nairobi said.

The commission noted that attacks could be indiscriminate in places frequented by foreigners including hotels, bars, restaurants, sports bars and nightclubs. Others are sporting events, supermarkets, shopping centres, commercial buildings, coastal areas including beaches, government buildings including embassies, airports, buses, trains and other transport hubs. 

“Places of worship including churches and mosques have also been targeted,” it added.

The US embassy in Nairobi said areas frequented by American citizens and other foreigners in Nairobi and elsewhere in the country remain targets for terror groups.

“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,” read the alert in part.