The government knew of impending terrorist attack on a Kenyan university

The Kenyan government appears to have had intelligence reports on the impending terrorist attack, so specific was the intelligence that it was known that a University was a prime target.

Kenyans woke up on Thursday to news that masked Al Shabaab terrorists had taken student hostages in Garissa University College, with the death toll reaching 147.

Kenyatta University, University of Nairobi and United States International University had within the past week issued security alerts to their students warning of a looming attack against a local university.

FOIL ATTEMPT

At the UoN, the warning was specific: “Intelligence report indicate that the Al Shabaab terror group is planning retaliatory attacks on vital installations in Nairobi including a major university. The information is already being processed by the relevant government agencies with an objective of putting necessary measures in place to foil such attempts,” read a notice by W. M Wahome, UoN’s chief security officer.

A statement emailed to all USIU students by Edwin Wachie, the Security Officer, read: “While various security agencies continue to zero-in on fresh credible intelligence of Al-Shabaab, its affiliates or sympathizers’ retaliatory security threats on Kenya with view to neutralize their links, USIU-A security fraternity wishes to alert USIU-A community to be conscious of any environment.”

“Due to the foregoing situation report and security trend, you are reminded to cooperate with USIU-A security and report any suspicious object/character that you may feel is unbefitting,” said Wachie.

EXTRA VIGILANT

Prof Paul K. Wainaina, KU’s deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of administration wrote: “In view of potential risks, our security system has become extra vigilant and as a result screening of all persons entering Kenyatta University premises has been intensified, among other measures.”

Just last week, the Kenyan government blasted the United Kingdom and Australia for stepping up their travel advisories to their citizens, citing intelligence for a possible terrorist attack.

Nairobi News

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