New terrorist attacks are on the way, four foreign missions have claimed.
They gave a hit list of city estates, airports, government buildings and crowded public places — and warned their citizens not to visit them.
The Australian, British, Canadian, and US missions urged their citizens to avoid the high risk areas following information received that they could be targets of terrorists.
Eastleigh, Kibera, Mathare, Kasarani, the JKIA, leading hotels and government offices were likely to be hit by Al Shabaab militants, they warned.
In the latest advisory, the Australian High Commission warned: “Several terrorist attacks have occurred in recent months in Nairobi and Mombasa. Security services are at a high state of alert and further attacks are likely.”
It went on: “We continue to advise Australians to exercise a high degree of caution in Kenya overall at this time due to the high risk of terrorist attack, and high crime levels in the country.”
The British High Commission wrote: “The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) advise against all but essential travel to areas within 60km of the Kenya-Somali border; to Kiwayu and coastal areas north of Pate Island; to Garissa District; to the Eastleigh area of Nairobi; and to low income areas of Nairobi, including all township or slum areas.”
The Canadians warned of attacks targeting Westerners: “Such attacks have occurred in the past in Nairobi, including Eastleigh, the Coast region, including Mombasa, and the North Eastern region. Further attacks remain possible.”
The US warned its citizens to be vigilant, especially when conducting business within the city.
“The United States government continues to receive information about potential terrorist threats aimed at U.S., Western, and Kenyan interests in Kenya,” it stated.
“Violent and sometimes fatal criminal attacks, including armed carjacking’s, grenade attacks, home invasions and burglaries, and kidnappings can occur at any time and in any location, particularly in Nairobi,” the alert added.
The International Rescue Committee through a leaked document to its staff noted there is credible intelligence that Al Shabaab was planning another attack in Nairobi.
“The timing of the attack remains unknown but there are reasons to believe the potential attack is in the last stages of planning,” it stated.
It warned of “credible information” suggesting attacks on Nairobi hotels and key government buildings.
After writing that it was expected the group might carry out a serious revenge attack against the Government of Kenya within the next few weeks/months, it continued: “The staff should remain alert in residential areas and at outdoor recreational events and avoid potential symbolic places like Kencom, key Government installations and crowded areas.”
