Kenya’s airport authorities have refuted claims that the country’s airports are under imminent threat from terror activities, amid tight security at all entry points across the East African nation.
“We wish to inform the general public that the aviation industry is very sensitive to all security matters. We take proactive action on any intelligence information however frivolous it may seem,” Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) Acting Managing Director Yatich Kangugo told journalists.
Kangugo’s statement comes after an internal memo was issued by KAA Security Manager Eric Kiraithe, warning that militants posing as passengers plan to target domestic flights where they intend to blow themselves up during the landing.
The memo prompted the country’s police chief to beef up security across the major airports.
Kiraithe said 11 militants have undergone training in neighbouring Somalia and could carry out attacks as early as in March.
“Domestic flights are the main targets. Operatives posing as passengers intend to blow themselves up during landing,” he said, noting that five operatives will target Jomo Kenyatta International Airport or Wilson Airport in Nairobi while the rest will focus on airports at the Coast region, among them Moi International Airport.
Kenya has been a constant target by Somalia-based Islamist militants al-Shabaab, who have time and again demanded that the Kenyan government withdraws its troops from Somalia.
