Three men and two women have been arrested by Kenyan security forces for preparing a terror attack in Nairobi, a police report seen by AFP on Sunday showed.
The report stated that the group comprising three men — a US citizen, a Somali and their Kenyan driver — and two Somali women were believed to be on a reconnaissance mission for an attack in the north of the capital, the report dated Saturday said.
Police received information on Friday saying that “suspected terrorists” were carrying out a surveillance operation at a pub on Kiambu Road, a spot popular for its many bars and nightclubs.
Kenyan security forces have been on high alert since the Somali Al-Shabaab group, close to Al-Qaeda, stepped up attacks in the east of the country this month, threatening to target more Kenyan and US interests.
On January 5, the Somali Al-Shabaab group attacked Camp Simba, killing three Americans and destroying several aircraft and warning Kenya to withdraw its forces from Somalia while they still “have the chance”.
Kenya sent troops into Somalia in 2011 as part of an African Union peacekeeping mission fighting against Al-Shabaab, and has seen several brutal retaliation attacks both on its troops in Somalia and civilians in Kenya.
One US citizen, four Africans arrested by Kenyan Police for spying for Al-Shabaab
Kenya's Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinnet speaks during a press conference in Nairobi, Kenya, on January 16, 2019, a day after a blast followed by a gun battle that rocked the upmarket hotel complex. - Boinnet announced today the death toll raised to 21 from the Islamist attack claimed by the Al-Qaeda-linked Somali group Al-Shabaab. (Photo by Yasuyoshi CHIBA / AFP)
