This archive report was first published on 12 January 2020.
On January 12, 2020, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) denied claims of a terror alert targeting areas in Nairobi, citing a fake security brief that had been widely shared on social media.
According to the DCI, the alert was meant to cause fear and panic, and warned the public against spreading it. The agency assured Kenyans of continued safety and security across the country, led by Inspector General of Police Hillary Mutyambai.
The fake security brief, which claimed American-operated establishments in Nairobi could be targeted by terrorists in the wake of the US-Iran hostilities, was attributed to Regional Criminal Investigation Officer (RCIO) Bernard Nyakwaka. However, the DCI noted that the office of the Nairobi RCIO is neither authorized nor does it have the capacity to issue such information.
“There are authorities that deal and tasked with such operations and are best placed to issue such alerts,” the DCI said, calling on the public to ignore it with the contempt it deserves.
The DCI's statement comes after a travel advisory issued by the British Government to its citizens visiting Kenya, warning that terrorists might try to carry out attacks. The advisory listed areas within 60km of the Kenya-Somali border, Garissa County, Lamu, and Tana River County as places the Britons should avoid unless extremely necessary.
