Security personnel are on high alert in Nanyuki, Laikipia county, after receiving intelligence reports that the al-Shabaab militants might be planning to launch another terror strike around Cedar Mall shopping complex. The intelligence report dated February 6, 2019, revealed a suspected militant toured the upmarket mall in January 2019 and took photos and video clips of the shopping complex which its understood is frequented by expatiates.
The intelligence report further revealed a youthful Borana man on January 17, 2019, hired a motorbike tax to take specifically him to Cedar Mall in Nanyuki. “On arrival, the man took several photos of the building and inquired from the (boda boda) rider the locations of the various military camps around Nanyuki,” read part of the report.
After dropping the stranger, the boda boda operator became suspicious and decided to report the matter at Nanyuki Police Station. Upon investigation, it was established that the man, identified as Hirbo Ahamed Shaller, comes from Marsabit and that he had allegedly left home year back to join the al-Shabaab in Somalia.
“A chief in Marsabit has confirmed Hirbo comes from the area but left the home to join al-Shabaab several years back. The chief was not aware of his return,” the police report indicated.
The local authorities have since launched a manhunt for Shaller to establish the reason why he was in Nanyuki and why he took pictures and videos of Cedar Mall. Based on the police’s assessment report, it is likely that the militants are targeting the British army officers and other expatiates based in Nanyuki. This comes few days after US Embassy warned its citizens in major cities and towns, including Nairobi and Naivasha, to remain vigilant over another 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 embassy said in statement.
The al-Shabaab militants on January 15, 2019, descended on DusitD2 Hotel complex along 14 Riverside Drive in Westlands, Nairobi and left 21 people dead.