Saitoti: Terror threat from Somalia extremists real

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By Cyrus Ombati

Security apparatus are on alert over possible terror attack from Somali extremists linked to al-Qaeda.

They are reportedly unhappy with the co-operation between Kenya, US and European countries in the war against piracy, a major source of revenue for terrorists and other criminal gangs in Somalia

Internal Security Minister George Saitoti said on Monday they are taking measures to ensure the attack does not occur.

"We are aware and monitoring whatever is going on especially in Somalia. I am not dreaming because the threat is real and we have been victims," he said.

Prof Saitoti said "things are not normal" especially along the Kenya-Somali border.

He made the remarks when he met PPOs at the CID Training School, Nairobi. PPOs run intelligence and security matters.

The minister said foreign militias at the Mandera border were a security threat.

The extremists were especially unhappy with the agreements Kenya has signed with foreign partners to arrest and charge pirates who terrorise ships off the Somalia coast.

"They plan a revolt because they think Americans are helping us to tame them," said an officer who did not want to be named.

Saitoti also cited a US report by a spy agent, who warned that Kenya was likely to face terror attacks as extremists plot to hit US targets. Saitoti termed the remarks serious.

"We judge the terrorist threat to US interests in East Africa, primarily from al-Qaeda and al-Qaeda-affiliated extremists in Somalia and Kenya, will increase in the next year," Mr Dennis Blair, overseer of US spy agencies, was reported telling the Senate last week. Blair said al-Qaeda network in East Africa was planning operations against American, European and local targets.

Kenya has been a victim of terror attacks. In the most serious in 1998, more than 200 people were killed.

The security apparatus are also concerned by threats from some of the terrorists against Prime Minister Raila Odinga.