Gov’t, diplomatic vehicles to undergo security checks

The National Police Service (NPS) has ordered intensive security checks on all government and diplomatic service vehicles entering offices, malls, hotels and entertainment spots in the latest show of high-level alertness against terrorism.

The directive comes three days after Somalia-based Al-Shabaab militants invaded a Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) camp at El Adde killing an unknown number of Kenyan soldiers, injuring scores and taking others hostage.

The vehicles, which have been by-passing security check points, are now seen as a point of exposure and are they are now subject to the same treatment as ordinary private vehicles.

In a statement, NPS instructed all senior government officials, parastatal heads, managers, and members of the diplomatic core to co-operate with security agents, including private security guards, in executing the order.

On Sunday, Chief of Defence Forces General Samson Mwathethe said Al Shabaab militants carried out the attack on two camps in the AMISOM base camp at El Adde using vehicles that had been commandeered by suicide bombers. 

There have been conflicting reports over the number of Kenyan soldiers killed in the attack carried out by the Al Shabaab militants.

No official figures have been provided by the government on the number of casualties and hostages.

The KDF soldiers who were slain are part of AMISOM, a regional peacekeeping mission operated by the African Union with the approval of the United Nations.

AMISOM, whose main mandate is to reduce the threat posed by Al Shabaab, has several bases across Somalia, and they have been in existence since January 2007.

Meanwhile, Mombasa-based Muslims for Human Rights lobby group (MUHURI) now wants the government to draw a plan for the withdrawal of Kenya Defence Forces troops from Somalia following Friday’s attack at El Adde.

Muhuri has claimed that peace and stability in the country cannot be guaranteed with KDF’s presence in Somalia.

Muhuri Executive Director Hassan Abdille said there was need to immediately initiate a process to remove KDF from Somalia, to avert more bloodshed.

The Lobby group wants the government to ensure that any major offensive, either individually or as part of AMISOM, is accompanied by a political strategy to win the support of local clans and social groups.