[kictanet] (no subject)

[McTim]

On Fri, Sep 27, 2013 at 11:14 PM, Solomon Mbũrũ Kamau
<solo.mburu at gmail.com> wrote:
> While it is important to take precautionary measures, why haven't the
> sources ~ the Police and US embassy ~ revealed which are the four
> unknown places or even arrested these guys?


The US embassy has not put out a warning about specific numbers of
people.  I am on their mailing list for security warnings and this is
the only message I have gotten in the last 48 hours:

SECURITY MESSAGE FOR U.S. CITIZENS

U.S.Embassy Nairobi

September 28, 2013



KENYA TRAVEL WARNING



In case you missed it, we are resending the below travel warning to
make sure all U.S. citizens in Kenya are aware of the latest
security-related information



1. In light of the recent attack on a Nairobi shopping mall, the U.S.
Department of State has reissued its Travel Warning of July 5, 2013,
which warns U.S. citizens of the risks of travel to Kenya. U.S.
citizens in Kenya, and those considering travel to Kenya, should
evaluate their personal security situation in light of continuing and
recently heightened threats from terrorism and the high rate of
violent crime in some areas. The levels of risk vary throughout the
country.



2. On September 21, 2013, suspected members of the Al Shabaab
terrorist organization, an Al-Qaeda affiliate, attacked the Westgate
Shopping Mall in Nairobi, killing scores of innocent people, both
Kenyan and foreign, and wounding many others.  The siege at the mall
continued for several days and five U.S. citizens were confirmed
injured in the attack.



3. The U.S. government continues to receive information about
potential terrorist threats aimed at U.S., Western, and Kenyan
interests in Kenya, including in the Nairobi area and in the coastal
city of Mombasa. Terrorist acts can include suicide operations,
bombings, kidnappings, attacks on civil aviation, and attacks on
maritime vessels in or near Kenyan ports. Although the pursuit of
those responsible for previous terrorist activities continues, many of
those involved remain at large and still operate in the region.
Travelers should consult the Worldwide Caution for further information
and details.



4. Kenya initiated military action against al-Qaida affiliate
al-Shabaab by crossing into Somalia on October 16, 2011, and on June
2, 2012, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) whereby it
formally joined the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM).  Kenyan
troops within AMISOM are now actively pursuing al-Shabaab in
southeastern Somalia. In response to the Kenyan intervention,
al-Shabaab and its sympathizers have conducted retaliatory attacks
against civilian and government targets in Kenya.



5. In the past year and a half, there have been numerous incidents
involving shootings, grenades, or other explosive devices in Kenya in
addition to the attack described above.  More than two dozen of these
attacks occurred in North Eastern Province, mainly in Dadaab, Wajir,
Garissa, and Mandera. Four attacks occurred in Mombasa. Twelve grenade
and improvised explosive device (IED) attacks have occurred in
Nairobi, illustrating an increase in the number of attacks and an
advance in the sophistication of attacks. Targets included police
stations and police vehicles, nightclubs and bars, churches, a mosque,
a religious gathering, a downtown building of small shops, and a bus
station. One of the deadliest attacks occurred in Nairobi on November
18, 2012, when an IED detonated on a passenger bus in Eastleigh,
killing ten.



6. Seventeen people were killed and about 50 people were injured in an
attack on July 1, 2012, with two simultaneous assaults on churches in
Garissa.  Additionally, Kenyan law enforcement has disrupted several
terrorist plots, which resulted in the discoveries of weapons caches
and other dangerous materials, and the arrests of several individuals.



7. Multiple kidnappings of Westerners have occurred in Kenya.  In
September 2011, a British woman was kidnapped and her husband murdered
at a coastal resort near the Kenya-Somali border.  The British hostage
was released in March 2012 after payment of ransom. In October 2011, a
French national was kidnapped from a private residence on the popular
tourist destination of Lamu Island on Kenya's north coast. She died
while in captivity in Somalia. Also in October 2011, two Spanish
nationals working for a NGO were kidnapped in a Dadaab refugee camp,
in northeastern Kenya. They are still being held. On June 29, 2012,
four international aid workers (from Canada, Pakistan, Norway, and the
Philippines) were kidnapped in Dadaab. All were rescued on July 1,
2012.



8. Following a series of security incidents attributed to violent
extremists, including al-Shabaab, the Government of Kenya announced on
December 13, 2012 that all urban refugees (primarily Somalis) should
relocate to refugee camps.  This directive is being challenged in
court and is not currently being enforced; however, U.S. citizens of
Somali descent should be aware that they may encounter interruptions
in their travel due to increased police scrutiny based on this
directive.  It is very important to carry at all times proof of
identity and legal status in Kenya (i.e., valid visa). If you are
detained by police or immigration officials, you should request to
speak to someone from the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in
Nairobi.



9. As a result of these recent events and threats, U.S. Embassy
personnel are prohibited from traveling to the North Eastern Province,
including the cities of El Wak, Wajir, Garissa, Mandera, and Liboi.
U.S. Embassy personnel are also restricted from traveling to the
coastal area north of Pate Island, including Kiwavu and north to
Kiunga on the Kenya/Somalia border.



10. Although these restrictions do not apply to travelers not
associated with the U.S. government, U.S. citizens in Kenya should
take these restrictions into account when planning travel.  The
Embassy regularly reviews the security of these areas for possible
modification.



11. Clashes occasionally occur in and around Isiolo and Moyale and in
2012 there were numerous instances of sporadic violence and protests
elsewhere in the country.  Rioting occurred in Mombasa shortly after a
local Muslim cleric with alleged ties to al-Shabaab was killed in a
drive-by shooting, resulting in the deaths of three policemen and four
church burnings.  Demonstrations in Kisumu (Western Kenya) following
the murder of two prominent Kenyan citizens in October 2012 turned
violent, leaving at least four protestors dead. More than 160 people
were killed in clashes in late 2012 between two communities in Tana
River County, in Kenya's Coast Province. While this violence is not
directed at foreigners, protests and ethnic clashes are unpredictable.
U.S. citizens are advised to check conditions and monitor local media
reports before traveling to these areas.



12. There are no restrictions on U.S. embassy employee travel to
Kenya's most popular tourist destinations such as Masai Mara,
Amboseli, Lake Nakuru, Tsavo, Lamu Island, Hell's Gate, Samburu, Mount
Kenya, Malindi, and Nairobi.  Travelers should keep informed of local
developments by following local press, radio, and television reports
prior to their visits. Visitors should also consult their hosts,
including U.S. and Kenyan business contacts, hotels, tour guides, and
travel organizers.



13. Violent and sometimes fatal criminal attacks, including armed
carjackings, grenade attacks, home invasions and burglaries, and
kidnappings can occur at any time and in any location, particularly in
Nairobi.  U.S. citizens, including U.S. Embassy employees, have been
victims of such crimes within the past year.



14. U.S. citizens in Kenya should be extremely vigilant with regard to
their personal security, particularly in crowded public places such as
clubs, hotels, resorts, shopping centers, restaurants, bus stations,
and places of worship.  U.S. citizens should also remain alert in
residential areas, at schools, and at outdoor recreational events.
U.S. citizens should use commonsense precautions at all times, to
include the following practices: avoid crowded transportation venues;
visit only legitimate businesses and tourist areas only during
daylight hours; use well-marked taxis and be sure to lock vehicle
doors and keep windows up; lock all lodging doors and windows; carry
minimal amounts of cash and credit cards; do not wear jewelry which
attracts undue attention; know emergency phone numbers; do not resist
or antagonize armed criminals; and always be aware of your
surroundings. These measures can help ensure your travel to Kenya is
safe and enjoyable.

All U.S. citizens in Kenya are urged to register online at the Smart
Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). Registering gives U.S. citizens
access to updated information on travel and security within Kenya and
makes it easier for the Embassy to contact citizens in case of
emergency.

You can stay in touch and get Embassy updates by checking the website
of the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi. You can also get global updates at the
U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs website where
you can find the current Worldwide Caution,Travel Warning for Kenya,
Travel Alerts, and Country Specific Information. Follow us on Twitter
and the ACS Nairobi page onFacebook as well, or you can download our
free Smart Traveler App, available through iTunes, and the Google Play
store, to have travel information at your fingertips. If you don't
have internet access, current information on safety and security can
also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United
States and Canada, or, for callers from other countries, a regular
toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00
a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S.
federal holidays).

The U.S. Embassy in Nairobi, Kenya is located on United Nations Avenue
Gigiri, Nairobi, Kenya , tel. +254-20-363-6000. You can contact the
Consular Section of the Embassy by phone at+254(0)20-363-6451 or via
email at Kenya_ACS at state.gov. For after-hours emergencies, please call
+254-(0) 20-363-6170



Providing assistance to U.S. citizens is our top priority




-- 
Cheers,

McTim
"A name indicates what we seek. An address indicates where it is. A
route indicates how we get there."  Jon Postel