Second Terror Alert in Less Than a Week Highlights Security Risks in Mandera, Wajir, Garissa, and Lamu

Canada has issued a terror alert advising its citizens to exercise extreme caution when traveling to Mandera, Wajir, Garissa, and Lamu counties in Kenya. This alert comes barely a week after the US State Department issued a similar advisory for the same areas, signaling growing concerns over security threats.

The advisory, posted on the Canadian government's official website on August 10, was prompted by intelligence indicating potential activities by terror groups in these regions. The alert also raised the alarm about the heightened risk of kidnappings, particularly targeting foreign visitors in the country.

Canada's security assessment rates the risk level as high, indicating the possibility of an imminent attack in the mentioned areas. The four counties have experienced sporadic attacks since the beginning of the year, often targeting government installations and telecommunication infrastructure.

Government buildings, schools, places of worship, airports, transportation hubs, and public areas have been among the targeted locations. Bars, coffee shops, shopping centers, markets, and hotels are also highlighted as potential targets.

The advisory notes, "Kenya’s border with Somalia is closed, but it is porous, and Somali militias and bandit groups have carried out cross-border attacks against foreigners and humanitarian workers in this region." The use of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) has resulted in injuries and fatalities, including incidents at the Dadaab refugee camp, located 80 km from the Somali border.

Even within Nairobi, foreigners are advised to remain vigilant, with a particular emphasis on the risk of crimes such as mugging. Specific neighborhoods like Eastleigh, Kibera, and Pangani are mentioned as areas with heightened crime concerns.

The Canadian alert closely mirrors the security concerns raised by the United States, as both countries highlighted Eastleigh and Kibera for their elevated risk of crime and kidnappings.

These terror alerts from Canada and the US followed shortly after Kenya's Interior Cabinet Secretary, Kithure Kindiki, disclosed that an operation on August 1 in Lamu County resulted in the killing of 60 suspected Al Shabaab militants. The alerts underscore the ongoing security challenges in certain regions of Kenya and emphasize the importance of remaining cautious and informed while traveling.