Security is being beefed up in the capital, Nairobi, after France and Germany issued alerts cautioning their citizens residing in Kenya of a possible terror attack targeting locations frequented by foreigners.
The alerts issued on Thursday, January 27 urged citizens of the two countries to avoid public spaces and to stay on high alert in coming days. The alerts continue to be widely circulated by Kenyans online, including on popular messaging app Whatsapp.
On Friday, January 28 the National Police Service (NPS) issued a statement seeking to calm fears even as they urged Kenyans to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity through their toll-free numbers – 999, 911, 112, 0800722203.
The police sought to calm social media fears by assuring the public that security in the country had been scaled up through different operations.
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“The National Police Service has progressively fortified her security systems in information sharing; we value credible, verifiable and authentic information.”
“The service has re-engineered her police units in line with modern day policing dynamics, challenges, and emerging threats. Security operations that ensure imminent attacks are forestalled proactively remain our priority,” the statement read in part.
At the same time, reporter Will Brown from the UK’s Telegraph disclosed that police in Nairobi had been going around international schools in the capital urging vigilance.
The alert from France had warned its citizens currently residing in the country to stay alert and avoid crowded areas such as hotels, restaurants, leisure spots and commercial centers in Nairobi.
The United States government had on January 5, 2022 also issued a travel advisory to its citizens to reconsider any planned trips to Kenya due to COVID-19. The U.S further urged its citizens already in the country to exercise increased caution due to crime, terrorism, health issues and kidnapping.
