By Frank Kamuntu
On Sunday night, the National Police Service of Kenya flagged a fake notice cautioning police bosses of an imminent attack across the city.
In a social media post, the service denied sending the cautionary letter, which bore the signature of Dagoretti OCPD Kivinda Kilonzo, to its police bosses.
The fake letter addressed to all stapols claimed that the militia group was planning an attack in the capital city in retaliation to an attack that left several of its members dead or nursing injuries.
It further claimed that the first fightback was the militia’s abduction of five chiefs in Mandera County just days before President William Ruto was scheduled to begin his 4-day tour of the Northeastern region.
“Al Shabab plan to carry out terror attacks in Nairobi in retaliation to the killing of their fighters and leaders. The group is emboldened by the capture of government officials in Northeastern region as well as attacks on government projects,” read the fake letter, which is dated February 7, in part.
Further, it cautioned that the target areas were malls, government installations, and crowded places within the capital.
“Targeted areas include major malls, public areas such as recreational parks, vital government installations, and western embassies and interests,” it added.
“Similarly, areas with high human traffic in the city as well as those frequented by foreigners such as hotels, international schools, and social places such as malls remain vulnerable.”
“Action: All stapols- There is need for heightened security vigilance, enhanced screening into vital government installations and social places across the city to forestall likely attack plans by al-Shabab,” claimed the letter.
The caution came barely a week after five chiefs from the administrative units of Wargadud East, Qurahmudow, and Chachabole were abducted by militant gunmen while traveling in a vehicle.
The vehicle, which was ferrying them to Elwak, was hijacked between Bamba Owla and Ires Suki in Mandera South. The chiefs were en route to a consultative meeting to plan for the President’s upcoming tour of the region.
Reports later indicated that the al Shabaab militants demanded a Ksh7 million ransom for their release.
Earlier, Ruto fired a salvo at the al-Shabaab insurgents after they bypassed security checkpoints and gained entrance into the country. He vowed to take action against them.
‘Security of our country is very paramount as we are fighting with insurgents, criminals and all sorts of delinquents,” Ruto asserted.
“We will deal with the terrorists and that is why I have come with the Deputy Inspector General of Police Gilbert Masengeli that no matter what happens that issue must be promptly addressed,” he added.
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