Red alert over planned terror attacks

Intercepted telephone conversations formed the basis of an intelligence report that warned Al Shabaab terrorists were plotting attacks on airports.

Yesterday, it emerged security had been beefed up at major airports within the country following the threat detailed in a leaked internal memo from the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) security.

It reported that up to 11 Al-Shabaab suicide bombers had been trained to blow up airplanes in Kenyan airspace.

The attacks targeting domestic flights were planned to be executed between the nd of February and early March.

"The attacks mainly target domestic flights and operatives posing as passengers intend to blow themselves up during landing," reads part of the memo dated February 26 and signed by Head of Security Eric Kiraithe.

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It warns of paralysis of operations at the vital installations with far-reaching ramifications to national security.

Later, KAA acting Managing Director Yatich Kangugo said the airports are not under any imminent threat and normal operations were ongoing.

"KAA is aware of the prevailing global terrorism threat by, among others, Al-Shabaab who have issued public threats against Kenya," Mr Kangugo said.

He added they had raised their operational threat category to high alert in conjunction with other national security organs who have increased vigilance to counter potential threats.

Kangugo said they would take proactive action on any intelligence information however frivolous it may seem.

"In respect to this particular information, my office has acted. Unfortunately, the information was released prematurely without awaiting the due verification by the threat assessment experts from the National Aviation Security Committee and other security agencies," he said.

A section of Kenyans rely on domestic flights to connect to their destinations on a daily basis.

A spot-check showed security screening at the airports had been boosted.

The memo comes days after Inspector General of police Joseph Boinnet said the Al Shabaab threat remains alive in the country.

"Available information indicates that Al Shabaab is still keen on attacking us, targeting security installations, soft targets in the Northern Kenya counties, in the Coast and other major cities," said Boinnet on Friday.