Security beefed up over terror threats

Police are on high alert following information that the Al-Shabaab terror group is preparing to strike targets in Nairobi and Coast.

Key government installations and popular public places are under vigilance to thwart any possible attack.

In a letter to all Principal Secretaries, Secretary to Cabinet Francis Kimemia said that information reaching them had necessitated the move to urgently deploy and increase security in all State buildings and installations.

“The Ministerial Security Committee and other systems in your areas should be fully activated,” said Mr Kimemia in the letter dated January 21.

The letter was copied to all Cabinet Secretaries, Attorney General Githu Muigai, Head of Public Service Joseph Kinyua, Inspector General David Kimaiyo and Maj Gen Michael Gichangi, who heads the National Intelligence Service.

Other government sources told the Nation said a joint team of officers drawn from the NIS, Anti-Terrorism Police Unit and Immigration officials at border points have intensified their operations. Detectives are also trailing some suspects who are residents of Kayole, Komarock and Eastleigh suburbs of Nairobi.

“We are on high alert at all points of entry because we do not want a repeat of what happened at the Westgate,” said the official.

At the Coast, security agents were also on special watch following reports that dozens of youth who had retreated to Somalia to escape the crackdown that followed the Westgate Shopping Mall attack in Nairobi last September were returning.

The source at the Office of the President also revealed that the government has placed nationalities from two countries in the Horn of Africa on a watchlist.