IG Koome Punishes Cop Who Named 6 Nairobi Areas Targeted By Al Shabaab

UPDATE: Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome has taken disciplinary action against a police officer who raised a terror alert to other police officers.

He said on Wednesday, December 14 that the officer broke the chain of command by issuing the alert to other officers regarding potential terror attacks on six areas in Nairobi.

"The National Police Service has noted with utmost concern the contents of a letter circulating on social media warning of a potential attack in Nairobi. In tandem with the communication procedure with the NPS, we wish to clarify that the letter has neither originated from the Office of the Inspector General nor has the undersigned officer received any instructions in accordance with the chain of command to author or disseminate the letter

"As a deterrence measure, administrative action has been taken against the concerned officer," Koome stated, further assuring the public that the country was safe under the surveillance of security teams and urging Kenyans to continue with their daily businesses without fear.

The Kenya Police has issued a warning with regards to six public areas in Nairobi being targeted by terror suspects associated with the Al Shabaab militia group ahead of the festive season.

Makadara Sub-County police commander Timon Odingo in a letter to all STAPOLS who fall under his jurisdiction dated Tuesday, December 13 named church-owned institutions amongst areas targeted by the militants.

Odingo listed the Presbyterian Guest House and Conference Centre in South C and Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church in South B among religious institutions that are under threat.

He added that the group may also be targeting other guest houses and conference centres owned by churches as well as Christmas and New Year's Eve celebrations.

Also included in areas under the Al Shabaab threat are shopping malls such as Nairobi West Mall, Capital Centre, Garden City Mall and T-Mall.

"There is need for deployment of armed security officers in and around the vulnerable installations, patrols, impromptu roadblocks and vehicle searches to deter Al Shabaab from fulfilling its mission," the letter read in part.

Kenyans have been asked to be cautious as they move around the city conducting their activities during the festive season. The aforementioned areas experience some of the highest human traffic during the holidays.

Former President Uhuru Kenyatta's regime witnessed terror attacks being carried out just months after taking office in April 2013, with among the deadliest being the Westgate shopping mall siege that saw over 70 people killed in September of that year.

President William Ruto has already seen a series of attacks by the terror group mostly concentrated on the Northern part of Kenya, signalling the reality of the threat. The group had told him immediately after he was declared winner in the August 9 elections that it will not stop attacks until Kenyan soldiers withdraw from Somalia.

In November, the United States (US) government announced a Ksh1 billion reward to anyone who volunteers information leading to the arrest of three wanted terror suspects associated with the militia group. Among them is Mahad Karate, also known as Abdirahman Mohamed Warsame who initially had a Ksh600 million bounty on his head.

Also included are Jehad Serwan Mostafa alias Ahmed Gurey, Anwar al-Amriki, and Emir Anwa Mostafa. The US government is also seeking help from members of the public to locate Ahmed Diriye alias Ahmed Umar and Abu Ubaidah.

The suspects, who also had a Ksh600 million bounty, are wanted over claims of numerous terrorist attacks in Somalia, Kenya, and neighbouring countries.

Photo of Mahad Karate, Al-Shabaab's elusive intelligence chief and deputy leader. /HAMZA MOHAMED.TWITTER