Nakuru County on alert over terror threats

NAKURU, KENYA: Security officers in Nakuru County have been urged to be extra vigilant during the festive season following numerous terror threats from suspected Alshabaab operatives and sympathisers.

Speaking at a security meeting, Nakuru county commissioner Mohammed Birik said the threats could no longer be taken lightly and urged top security officers drawn from the 11 sub-counties to conduct sustained security swoops to net criminals.

The county commissioner said following terror attacks in Mombasa and other parts of the country, traditionally known to attract thousands of Kenyans during festive seasons, tourist both locally and internationally have streamed to Nakuru and should be protected.

"Terror groups through their social platforms have mention Nakuru as the next target, this is not a joke and security officers must not sleep and instead put in place measures and dismantle these networks", said the County Commissioner.

Birik while addressing more than 50 security officers that included, sub-county deputy commissioners, OCDPs, Criminals Investigation Officers and members of the National Intelligence Service (NIS) officers have been put on high alert to detect and stop the attacks.

"Nakuru for the last one month has hosted several tourists with hotel rooms fully booked as a result of security threats elsewhere and as security officers we will not let them down", assured Birik.
He said the usual security strategies may fail to work and directed security officials to be innovative enough to counter any attack directed at innocent citizens.

More than 200 people have been arrested in Nakuru town alone following a sustained swoop targeted at criminals and individuals operating especially at night hours without proper identification documents.