NAIROBI, Kenya, Dec 14 – Inspector General Japhet Koome said Wednesday he had taken action against Makadara Sub-county Police Commander over an internal memo warning of planned terror attacks in some areas in Nairobi.
The police boss Timon Odingo had issued an internal memo to Officers Commanding Station saying al-Shabaab planned an attack on some areas in the city.
The recipients received the memo and it was in the process of disseminating it to the officers on the ground it leaked to the public.
It has since been widely shared on social media which seems to have irked Koome.
It was genuine warning aimed at enhancing operations to stop any planned attack.
And according to Koome, the officer had not been authorised to distribute the letter warning of a potential attack.
“In tandem with the communication procedure within the National Police Service, 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,” the IG said.
“As a deterrence measure, administrative action has been taken against the concerned officer.”
Odingo had called for increased surveillance in the high-target areas.
He listed marked areas believed to be targeted by al-Shabaab militants for possible attacks this festive season.
Some of the areas stated include the Presbyterian Guest House and Conference Centre in South C, Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church in South B, Nairobi West Mall, Capital Centre, Garden City and T-Mall.
“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,” the letter said.
The attacks according to police are to disrupt the Christmas festivities.
Police authorities had been in a crisis meeting over the letter after it emerged it was causing panic.
Earlier on, interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo had said security agencies are on alert over the threats. He said they are taking various measures against any plans by the terrorists to disrupt life.
“We are taking measures to address these threats. We are in the festive season and some people may want to take advantage and disrupt life. We are there for Kenyans,” he said.
Kenya has been a victim of terrorism in many occasions. The threats keep coming all the time.
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