The National Police Service has said that a notice cautioning officers of a planned terror attack in Nairobi is fake.
Through its official social media pages, NPS said that it did not send a cautionary letter that was addressed to all police bosses in Nairobi over the attack.
The letter which bore the signature of Dagoretti North police boss Kivinda Kilonzo claimed that Al Shabaab was planning an attack within the city.
In the letter, there were claims that the first move that was made by the militia group is when they abducted five chiefs in Mandera county.
The abduction took place just two days before President William Ruto kicked off his four-day tour in the vast 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.
In the letter, claims that targeted areas included; 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 claimed.
It also said that areas with high human traffic in the city as well as those that are frequented by foreigners such as hotels and international schools.
“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.
Last week five chiefs working in the wards of Wargadud East, Qurahmudow, and Chachabole were abducted by militant gunmen while traveling in a vehicle.
The five were travelling to Elwak and were hijacked at Bamba Owla in Mandera South as they headed to a consultative meeting which was aimed at planning the president’s tour in the region.
Days later, Al Shabaab militants demanded for a ransom of Sh7 million in order to release the five chiefs. The government is yet to respond to the demands that were made by the terror group.
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,” the Head of State said.
He also said that he had asked the Deputy Inspector General of Police Gilbert Masengeli to ensure that the region is secure.
