Police on high alert as country marks first anniversary of Westgate terror attack

Kenya: Kenya's police Chief David Kimaiyo marked the first anniversary of the Westgate shopping mall terror attack with a strong defense of his competence, and that of his officers, in keeping the country safe.

He said he had stepped up patrols all over the country, and put all officers on high alert to thwart any attempt by the Somalia-based Al Shabaab militants to execute any attacks within Kenya's borders.

The Inspector General rubbished claims that the security agencies failed to respond appropriately. He also denied that there were gaps in the intelligence system, and poor coordination between the various security arms during last year's attack when unidentified gunmen raided the upmarket shopping mall in Nairobi, killing at least 67 people and injuring more than 200 people.

"The Kenya Defense Forces (KDF), National Intelligence Service (NIS) and the National Police Service (NPS) worked as team during that period and we have been working together all through and will continue working together, I believe we dealt with the situation in the best way," he noted.

Kimaiyo lashed out at his critics who have asked him to quit. He dismissed his critics as people who had no experience in security matters.

"This is a job that we did professionally and where due process was followed. Every incident has its own challenges. It's not systematic how a situation is handled. Every scenario dictates how a situation is handled. God forbid if something were to happen, we would deal with it professionally and according to the law," he said.

At a morning press briefing in Nairobi's Jogoo House, Kimaiyo said all the security agencies acted professionally and within the confines of the law.

"We should not talk aimlessly. We lost Kenyans including police officers so it was a serious situation. If you were in my shoes, what would you have done differently?" posed Kimaiyo.

The IG said the police are on high alert and has put in place elaborate security measures to deal with any eventualities. He also said terror hotspots including Wajir, Garissa and Lamu among others were under intense surveillance to keep Al shabaab away.

Kimaiyo issued an extension of the dusk to dawn curfew orders in Lamu County for a period of one month.

"During this time nobody is to be out at night and all public transport vehicles within Lamu-Garsen road should move only under police escort and during the day. Boni and adjoining forests remain prohibited areas," he ordered.

He also has issued an alert to all police officers to work around the clock to ensure that the safety of Kenyans and various establishments are not compromised.

 

"The fact that these enemies may still try to get to us again cannot be ignored. I urge all Kenyans to be alert and extra vigilant particularly for the one week ahead. However, everyone should go about their businesses without fear," he said.

The response and specialized units were directed to be on standby at all times should there be need to call them for any eventualities while beats and patrols will from now henceforth be doubled across the country.

Kimaiyo said even though there is no cause for alarm, there is need to extend our alertness even further urging members of the public to provide any information with regards to unusual or suspicious occurrences and individuals.

"Security starts from oneself. If you do not share information we may not know what is happening. We cannot ignore any information we receive from the members of the public. In any case we do not want to take any chances," said Kimaiyo.

According to Intelligence reports, the terror group is planning fresh attacks at any time in crowded areas especially in Nairobi and Mombasa.

"We have received a number of reports from various platforms including the social media and other intelligence sources and we take them very seriously. But it doesn't mean that this will happen. Nevertheless we have put in place security measures to preempt any occurrences," said the IG.

He called on all other agencies and institutions who have relevant mandate in law enforcement including private security providers to jointly work together as a team as well as ensure they enhance vigilance in all areas they will be guarding.

"Those frisking patrons in social establishments including shops, supermarkets, malls and hotels must be must be thorough and extra vigilant at work," he said.