The U.S has issued a terror alert to Americans residing in or travelling to Kenya, warning of 'ongoing and persistent terror threats'.
In the alert issued on Tuesday, August 19, the US Department of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs flagged extremist group al-Shabaab as a lurking threat in the country. "Terrorist groups, such as al-Shabaab, are an ongoing and persistent threat not only in Kenya as a whole, but also in Nairobi," the alert read. In the advisory, tourists planning to visit or already in Kenya were urged to remain cautious, particularly in areas prone to attracting large crowds or international visitors, noting that attacks by extremist groups tend to be unannounced.
Al Shabaab militia during a past drill.
Photo DW "Locations such as hotels, embassies, restaurants, malls and markets, schools, police stations, places of worship, and other places frequented by foreigners and tourists continue to be attractive targets," the statement added. The US issued the alert partly because Kenya is perceived as vulnerable to attacks around certain calendar dates, such as the anniversaries of the 1998 US Embassy bombing on August 7, the September 11 attacks and the 2013 Westgate Mall attack on September 21.
