we are ready,Kenyan security reacts towards US embassy alert

Police have increased security in and around Naivasha following an alert given by US embassy on a possible terror attack. The possible towns highlighted to be the terrorist targets according to the Monday attack are; Naivasha, Nairobi, Nanyuki and coastal towns.  Police from various security  departments have been deployed to key installations and hotels in Naivasha. The residents were advice to be on high alert.

In a statement published on US embassy website, it stated that it ha credible information concerning a possible terror attack; ”Credible information indicates Westerners may be targeted by extremists in Nairobi, Naivasha, Nanyuki, and coastal areas of Kenya.”The US Embassy reminds the public of the continued need for heightened vigilance throughout Kenya, especially in public spaces such as shopping malls, hotels, and places of worship.”

The alert comes weeks after the Dusit D2 terror attack which left 21 people dead and 30 others with injuries.

Residents have been called upon by political leaders, hoteliers and religious leaders to be more vigilant and report suspicious people in town. Kenyans and foreigners are advised to be more careful when visiting places frequented by tourists and westerners.

Jim Njoka, Naivasha sub county commissioner says that the government has taken the alert seriously and that all security forces have been alerted. He has urged the residents to work with the police in reporting an suspicious people they bump into.

Peter Mehta, Naivasha  hoteliers Association chairman, says that security in and around Naivasha has been increased. Karanja Mburu, Lake view ward rep has called for more vigilance in shopping malls, hotels and places of worship in the town. A senior police officer says that intelligence gathering has been boosted;“Even before the warning by the US Government, our officers were on high alert.”

Kenyans are also on high alert and are not taking the caution by US  embassy lightly.

Before the explosion on Latema junction ,Odeon Cinema along Tomboy Street, which left two injured, two weeks after the Riverside attack the Us had also given an alert to its citizens to avoid Nairobi Central Business District.

A statement from embassy advised US citizens travelling or living in Nairobi to enroll in the Department of State’s Smart Traveler Enrolment Program (STEP); ”STEP enrolment gives you the latest security updates, and makes it easier for the US embassy or nearest US consulate to contact you in an emergency. If you don’t have Internet access, enroll directly with the nearest US embassy or consulate.”

 

 

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