Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Police boss warns locals of terror attack threat



By Adow Jubat and Vincent Mabatuk

Residents of North Eastern Province have been urged to be on the alert following intelligence reports of an impending suicide bombing attack by Al Shabaab.
Addressing the Press in his office, NEP police boss Leo Nyongesa urged wananchi to be extra vigilant and report any suspicious-looking characters to the authorities.
"It is my appeal to the locals to assist the security apparatus in the region in identifying these criminal gangs through the community policing spirit. We believe we will achieve very little without their support," said the police boss.
His statement comes just a day after police in Garissa arrested two suspects in connection with the December 31 terror attack at a local bar.
Five people were killed and more than 20 injured during celebrations to usher in the New Year.
Among the dead were a GSU and Administration Police officers.
The two suspects — a former police officer and a taxi driver — are being held at Garissa Police Station.
The PPO said a jungle police jacket was found in the house of one of the suspects.
Crucial information
"We believe the two have crucial information that will greatly assist us in getting those who were involved in the incident," he said.
In total, 19 people have been killed in Garissa, among them five security officers, after Kenya sent its troops into Somalia in October to hunt down Al Shabaab insurgents who have been blamed for a series of murders and kidnappings on Kenyan soil.
Elsewhere, Internal Security PS Francis Kimemia has down played the warning by the British Government of a possible terror attack.
Speaking in Nakuru town only a day after the warning was issued, the PS said there was no need for alarm because security had been intensified.
"It was unnecessary for the British High Commission to issue such reminders," said Kimemia, adding that extra security measures had been put in place to ensure the country is safe.
On Saturday, Britain advised its nationals to exercise extra vigilance and caution in public places and events over what they termed as a heightened threat of terrorist attacks in Nairobi by Al Shabaab.
Kimemia said the country had been on high alert since the Kenya Defence Forces entered Somalia in efforts to weed out Al Shabaab insurgents.
More security
And on matters of the next General Election, the PS assured that those responsible for the country’s security would work closely with the Independent Electoral Boundary Commission to ensure that security standards were maintained during the election period.
"We also appeal to Kenyans to assist us in pointing out places they feel need more security and we will provide it," said Kimemia.
The PS made the remarks during the consecration of new Nakuru ACK Bishop Joseph Muchai.
While addressing the congregation, Roads Assistant Minister Lee Kinyanjui called on the church to pray for the soldiers currently in Somalia and their families.

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