Al-Shabaab terror group wants to carry-out a synchronized terror attack in Kenya targeting the North Coast, Maasai Mara, and Naivasha resort destination in Kenya, intelligence sources warn
Intelligence reports warn Al-Shabaab terrorists conducted surveillance and reconnaissance in Maasai Mara using poaching routes and studied the lake Naivasha area’s particularly the south-most areas early November.
Further analysis confirms a bias of Naivasha being the most flocked holiday destination as well as Maasai Mara as holiday makers avoid Mombasa for security fears.
Al-Shabaab carried out several attacks in Mombasa in 2014. An attack in Diani in 20th of December left a hotel guard dead.
Intelligence and local’s in the North Coast warn of a group of youths in police/military uniforms in the area. These men could be planning to stage attacks in the North Coast hotels. Security should be increased robustly in the area.
Tourists have shunned the south coast for the north and the terrorists planned to exploit this.
In Naivasha suspected Shebaab terrorists using newly bought probox vehicle drove past Kongoni to areas near Crater Lake resort, often stopping to study the geography and mapping escape and police response time & logistics.
In the Maara suspected Al-Shabaab terrorists studied the poaching routes and access to main camping sites and vulnerable hotels.
Recommendations
- Public safety awareness
- Increased security on the targeted areas
- Tracking terror cells and destroying them
- Increased police surveillance, screening of visitors, and reconnaissance
- Effective vehicle searching & coordinated tracking of suspicious vehicles
