Wednesday, September 10, 2014
SECURITY has been beefed across the country following fears of possible retaliatory attacks by the al-Shabab, an intelligence source has said.
The group's leader Ahmed Godane, was killed in a US air strike in Somalia last week.
Speaking to the Star yesterday, the source said security has been activated on the borders and internally to avert any possible attacks.
The National Police Service has directed officers and the other security agencies to take extra security measures, including increased patrols and intensified access control at public places.
Anti-Terror officers have warned that “active terror cells” in Mombasa and Nairobi might be used to carry out imminent attacks in the country.
“Although the extremists' activities have gone down in the past few months, there exists the al Shabab cells in the country that might be used to carry out the retaliatory attacks,” the source said.
Godane, blamed for playing a major role in last year's September Westgate attack, was killed in drone and manned aircraft bombing on Monday.
The Somalia government has warned of a wave of retaliatory attacks.
Administration Police spokesman Masoud Mwinyi yesterday declined to disclose if they have received an official alertness of possible attacks targeting Kenya and Western interests.
“Our readiness is no doubt, we are ready to safe guard the country’s need. Our officers are collaborating with other services to secure our borders,” he said.
Kenya Defence Force spokesman Bogita Ongeri told the Star on the phone that military personnel have increased surveillance at the Kenya Somalia border in Lamu and in the North Eastern province.
“We have strengthened our operation within Hindi and Vast Boni Forest near the Somalia border in. More personnel have been deployed to prevent militants sneaking into the country,” he said.
Military sources said the Lamu attacks was conducted by the al Shabaab, working local militia, which includes the Mombasa Republic Council kill people.
On Sunday, Inspector-General of Police David Kimaiyo said the MRC is working closely with the Somali al Shabaab.
"The two groups were now working closely to carry out violent attacks," he said.
In statement, Kimaiyo said the MRC and the al Shabaab worked together during the Lamu and Tana River attacks, where locals close to 100 people were killed and hundreds displaced from their homes.