Terror Alert Issued in Kakamega & Major Western Towns During Festive Season

SECURITY BRIEF

10^th December 2015, Kenya’s western region has been put on high terror alert following credible intelligence reports indicating possible terrorist attacks during this festive season.

Police in Western urged to be on alert in major towns in Kakamega, Busia, Vihiga and Bungoma.

Initial intelligence reports warns on public places with huge crowds such as learning institutions, churches, malls, government installations and any other place with large crowds.

Regional police coordinator Moses Ombati has called on members of the public to be on the lookout.

Police have since shared the intelligence to church leadership, management of major shopping malls and supermarkets as well as institutions of learning.

Churches  have been urged to exercise extra caution and improve on their screening for all their faithful.

Security screening also should been conducted thoroughly in major shopping joints such as supermarkets and malls. Universities and social joints including bars and restaurants, security should be observed.

Intelligence points that terrorists may target to attack Kakamega County during this festive season after previous terror plots were successfully preempted before they got to the execution stage.

In Kakamega, operations conducted saw five terror suspects from Tanzania, a Muslim cleric and a teenager arrested at a Mosque in Shianda, Mumias East Sub-county to face terror charges .

Separately other terror suspects were nabbed in Nambale in Busia County, for allegedly plotting terror attacks in Kakamega town.

Kenya security agents have put the country on high terror alert especially at the coastal region which is expected to host tens of thousands international and local tourists during this festive season.

However, security agencies are working closely, deployment of additional security officers put across the country alert to preempt and neutralize any possible terror threat.