RPS security alert for Kenya

Posted: 29/02/2016

29 February 2016 - RPS Partnership

RPS is bringing you an alert just received from various sources with regards to travel to Kenya. Contact [email protected] for any planned travel to Kenya and for any travel awareness training. 

(Kenyan) Airports increase security amid suicide bomber warnings

Authorities have increased security across Kenyan airports following intelligence reports that Somali-trained suicide bombers are planning airborne suicide missions.

According to the reports, five bombers were planning to target Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi, with six others focussing on airports in the Coast region, including Moi International Airport in Mombasa.

A leaked memo stated that a team of 11 bombers trained by Somali militant group al-Shabaab were planning the attacks for late February and early March, with bombers planning to blow themselves up upon the landing of the aircraft.

Security summary - Kenya

There is a high threat from terrorism, including kidnapping. The main threat comes from extremists linked to Al Shabaab, a militant group that has carried out attacks in Kenya in response to Kenya’s military intervention in Somalia. Following attacks by Al-Shabaab on Kenyan troops in Somalia on 15 January 2016, the Kenyan government reiterated the threat posed by terrorists to Kenyan interests.

Several terrorist attacks have taken place in Garissa County in 2015, including an attack on Garissa University College on 2 April 2015 in which at least 148 people were killed. More recently, attacks have taken place on police vehicles on the road between Garissa and Dadaab

In June and July 2014 attacks in Lamu and Tana River counties on the Kenyan coast are reported to have killed at least 85 people. Al-Shabaab has claimed responsibility for the attacks.

There has been a spate of small-scale grenade, bomb and armed attacks in Nairobi (especially the area of Eastleigh), Mombasa, and North Eastern Province. On 16 May 2014, there were explosions at Gikomba Market on the edges of the Eastleigh district in Nairobi. Further attacks are likely. See Terrorism

On 22 November 2014, there was an attack on a bus in Mandera county near the Somali border. Twenty eight people are reported to have been killed.

On 2 December 2014, there was an attack at a quarry in Mandera county near the Somali border. Reports indicate that at least 30 people were killed. The FCO advise against all but essential travel to within 60km of the Kenya-Somalia border.

You should take care in public places where people gather, and exercise a heightened level of vigilance. Monitor local and international media and keep up to date with this travel advice by subscribing to email alerts.

There are frequent incidents of violent crime including mugging, armed robbery and carjacking, particularly in the large cities. 

117,000 British residents visited Kenya in 2014. Most visits are trouble-free.

Ensure you take out travel insurance for the type of travel you are going on; business or pleasure. You need a visa to enter Kenya. You can either get a visa on arrival at the airport, or before you travel. To minimise time spent queuing at the airport, get a visa before you travel. You can apply for single entry and transit visas on the evisas website. For other types of visa, apply at the nearest Kenyan High Commission or Embassy. For more information on different types of visas see the website of the Kenya High Commission.

Contact [email protected] for any travel concerns or travel awareness training of first aid courses.

Source: PGI and FCO

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