US warns of terror threat in Kenya

By Peter Ochieng

The United States of America (USA) Embassy in Nairobi has issued a terror threat alert in Kenya.

President Joe Biden’s administration wants its citizens in Kenya to remain vigilant, urging US citizens in Kenya to be on the lookout for potential kidnappings and attacks on areas frequented by tourists.

“Terrorist groups could attack with little or no warning, targeting hotels, embassies, restaurants, malls and markets, schools, police stations, places of worship, and other places frequented by foreigners and tourists,” stated the embassy in a security alert, issued on Friday.

“While attacks can occur at any time, concerns are heightened in proximity to anniversaries of prior terrorist attacks, such as September 11th, the September 21st Westgate Mall attack, and the October 7th Hamas attack against Israel.”

The embassy also called on US citizens in the country to review their local security plans, and always monitor the media for updates and alerts, with areas within the border with Lamu such as Lamu and Mandera being declared risky Counties.

"Due to the risk of terrorism from groups based in Somalia, FCDO (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) advises against all but essential travel to: within 60km of Kenya’s border with Somalia, Eastern Garissa County, up to 20 km north-west of the A3 road, including the Boni National Reserve and Mandera County, excluding Mandera West sub-county."

On August 7, 1998, nearly simultaneous bombs blew up in front of the American embassies in Nairobi, Kenya, and Dar es Salaam, Tanzania in one of the deadliest terror attacks in East Africa. Two hundred and twenty-four people died in the blasts, and more than 4,500 were wounded.

The attacks were soon directly linked to al Qaeda.

In 2023, a report by the Interior Ministry indicated that since the 1998 bombing, at least 500 lives have been lost due to terror attacks in Kenya.