Kenyan police warn of possible terror attacks during Ramadan

By FAUXILE KIBET

NAIROBI: Kenyan police have warned that the Al-Shabaab terror group could carry out attacks within Kenya during the upcoming Ramadan season.

In a statement sent to newsrooms, police director of communications said Tuesday that Kenyan security agencies had obtained credible information about planned attacks by Al-Shabaab.

“Though the capability of Al-Shabaab has been greatly downgraded over time, we have credible information suggesting that the militia group is planning to carry out further attacks in the country,” Mr Owino said.

According to the Kenya police, group has in the past planned to carry out attacks during Ramadan especially along the Kenyan Coastal and Eastern region as well as in major town across the East African country.

“Al-Shabaab and other terror groups such as the Islamic State (IS) and Al-Qaeda have issued “fatwas” calling for increased attacks during the Muslim holy month of Ramadhan,” observed Mr. Owino.

Noting that terror incidences within Kenya had been drastically reduced, the police spoke man said that some of the eight terror suspects whose names were released last week had been arrested for engaging terror related activities.

“We are pleased to announce that some of the eight individuals have so far been arrested following quick action by the public who volunteered valuable information.”

Kenyan police had offered a total of Sh 16 Million reward for anyone offering information leading to the arrest of the suspects identified as Issack Alio Mohmed, Rahim Mohammed Sheikh, Bashir Hared Hussein, Mashir Adan Osman, Abdirashid Ibrahim Osman Noor, Siyat Ibrahim Abdullahi, Abdi Ahmed Ibrahim and Muhammed Muhumed Ahmed.

The alert comes a few days after Suspected Al-Shabaab militants killed five people at a quarry in Shimbir Fatuma area of Mandera County. Mr Owino however said that Kenyan security agencies will continue pursing perpetrator of the crime and called on the public to assist police with information that will help them stop terror activities.

“We are calling for continued vigilance by the public and urging you to report any suspicious individuals either along the Kenya-Somali border or in other parts of the country.”

Kenya-Djibouti pact

The police statement coincided with a visit to Kenya by Djibouti president Ismail Omar Guelleh who held bilateral talks with Kenya’s President Uhuru Kenyatta at the country’s capital, Nairobi.

The two leaders also agreed to collaborate in efforts towards achieving long lasting stability in the region which they said has for decades been ravaged by conflicts and modern forms of organised crime like terrorism.

“We have talked about how to strengthen our cooperation and to secure our nations. Both our nations are in a very troubled region and we talked on how to secure the safety and prosperity of our people,” said President Kenyatta.

President Guelleh on his part expressed Djibouti’s desire to collaborate with other partner in the region in efforts towards developing the region and making it peaceful. He added that Djibouti and Kenya are working together to make Somalia peaceful to ensure that the security risk that its continued instability poses to the region is eliminated.

“We are in a troubled region where we are confronted by extremism and violence. That is why our militaries are in Somalia to help it regain stability because what happens in Somalia has an immediate impact on all of us,” said President Guelleh.

Mr. Guelleh’s visit comes after a similar visit by Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali who also vowed to continue supporting effort geared at securing and developing the region.