US mombasa travel advisory; concerned group or alarmists?

[Kabaridi]

The United States has ordered its government officials to leave the Kenyan city of Mombasa over an "imminent threat of a terrorist attack."


The US also suspended all government travel to the coastal city until July 1.


"This is to alert all US citizens in Kenya, or planning to travel to Kenya in the near future, that the US Embassy in Nairobi has received information of an imminent threat of a terrorist attack in Mombasa, Kenya," read a statement issued by the Embassy Saturday.

"All US government travel to Mombasa is suspended until July 1, 2012. All US government personnel are required to leave Mombasa."

However, the Embassy said US private citizens were not affected by the travel advisory but "should consider this information in their travel planning".

On Wednesday, two containers tracked from Iraq by international police were traced to the yards of a container freight station (CFS) in Mombasa.

A squad from the Anti-Terrorism Police Unit led by Coast commander Elijah Rop and backed by officers from the US Federal Bureau of Investigation raided the CFS and isolated the containers for screening.

According to a police officer and a source at the Kenya Revenue Authority, who cannot be named because they were not authorised to speak to the media, the containers had been tracked for several weeks before entering Mombasa port.

Share This Story​

243Share



"The information contained in the declaration form indicated the goods are building materials but we suspect there are unusual materials in the containers We are moving carefully to ensure all procedures are followed before removing the goods from the containers," said the officer.

He said Interpol and FBI had been tracking the cargo. They dusted the containers for fingerprints.

"Nobody has been arrested regarding the cargo and no one has claimed them. We shall know the contents by tomorrow (Thursday) morning when all the materials are removed from the containers," he said.

At the site, Mr Rop, who was heading the operation, declined to speak to journalists and referred them to Coast Provincial Police boss Aggrey Adoli.

When contacted, Mr Adoli remained elusive and described the operation as a routine exercise meant to "ensure all goods entering the Mombasa port are certified".


Associated comments:

• Abdallah Twahir • 3 hours ago
  • −
  It is high time Kenyan society and Kenyan politicians appreciate the corrosive results of corruption. What may have been as "simple" as bribing not to get a speeding ticket over time graduates to bigger things - Goldenberg, Anglo-Leasing and now terrorist material. Everyone in Kenya needs to wake up and fight corruption in all its guises. It is tearing the Kenyan society apart. And the worst of them is the Kenyan politician. Elections are at hand. Kenyans WAKE UP and elect respectable and responsible people, not those out to protect their ill-gotten wealth. We need to elect leaders who are servants of the people.
  
• 
  David Oloo Oluoch • 4 hours ago
  
  This is gonna affect tourism!
• 
  David Oloo Oluoch • 4 hours ago
  
  Not now, not again! this is now gonna be costly to the tourism sector.
  
  
  Josee Karas Louis • 4 hours ago
  
  America should provide vital information regarding the terror attack if but not misleading Kenyans in the expense of protecting its citizen.
• • 
    proudkenyaguy • 3 hours ago • parent
    
    Even if they did provide this information, the Kenya Police would discredit it and the politicians would have a lot to talk about. When Obama himself calls Harun Mwau a drug lord, but the police find no evidence, then why should the US even bother? They might as well look after their own.
• 
  
  mungich • 3 hours ago
  
  With a friend like america, who needs enemies?
• 0
• •
• Reply
• •
• Share ›
• 
  
  kevin eboso kidali • 3 hours ago
  
  tht's very true,unless they want to compromize the situation
• 
  Musamba Maluki • 3 hours ago
  
  what a shame,a container coming all the way from irag to kenya,and yet we sent military into somalia,many Quiz leaves to ne anwered
• 
  Musamba Maluki • 3 hours ago
  
  why america should provide wth info,what is the work of security aparatus ,corruption is going to finish this country
  
  
  K'obama's Unkle • 3 hours ago
  
  Hmmm let's see, no terror attack by 1st July. Ooooops! Sorry people. Meanwhile, tourism, travel and business at the coast dealt a major blow - these US travel advisories are like weather reports or Dr. Alfred Mutua's weekly briefings. Best not to pay any heed at all.
  
  
  kevin eboso kidali • 3 hours ago
  
  this is a community issue 'n 'we' members of the UN sh'ld look 4 means 2 solve this rather than shiftng blames
  
  Source: nation

 

[FJM]

Can the America provide those information to Kenyan authority and assist (where necessary) to defuse the situation?

 

[Ab-Titchaz]

US embassy pulls staff out of Mombasa

Bomb experts from the Kenya Police off-load a box containing explosive material found at the Mombasa Golf Club June 21, 2012. The United States ordered its government officials to leave Mombasa over an "imminent threat of a terrorist attack" June 23, 2012. LABAN WALLOGA ​

By FRED MUKINDA fmukinda@ke.nationmedia.com and GALGALO BOCHA gbocha@ke.nationmedia.com
Posted Saturday, June 23 2012 at 23:30

The American embassy has pulled out all its staff from Mombasa and warned its citizens of an imminent terrorist attack there.

In a note sent to all US citizens, the embassy also announced that it had suspended US Government travel to Mombasa until July 1.

"All US Government personnel are required to leave Mombasa. US private citizens are not subject to the same restrictions, but should consider this information in their travel planning."

This comes in the wake of the arrest of two Iranians who police suspect were in the country to plot acts of terror.

On Wednesday, police in Mombasa detained two containers at the yard of a container freight station. The cargo had been tracked from Iraq by international police and is believed to have been packed with explosives.

The following day, police found 15 kg of suspected bomb-making material at Mama Ngina Drive, Mombasa. (READ: Bomb powder seized in Mombasa police swoop)

The white powdery substance was in two rucksacks, neatly wrapped in blue polythene bags. The officers were led to the site near the Mombasa Golf Club by one of the Iranians.

At the same time, the UK's Daily Telegraph newspaper reported that Iran might attack Western and Israeli targets in various countries in retaliation for a spate of assassinations of nuclear scientists in the country, which it blames on Israel.

Al-Shabaab has also promised to stage attacks in retaliation for the Kenya Defence Forces mission in Somalia. (READ: Shabaab targets Kenya's tall buildings- report)

Iran was named in a 2006 United Nations report as one of seven countries breaking an arms embargo on Somalia by supplying the Shabaab with weapons. Iran has denied the claims.

The Telegraph report noted that Israel has already accused Iran of organising attacks on its diplomats in India and Georgia.

"Tehran denied involvement in the bombings, which injured several people in New Delhi. One day later, an Iranian man was seriously wounded while trying to throw a bomb at police in Thailand's capital, Bangkok.

"Experts believe that Iran might seek to retaliate for the assassination of several of its nuclear scientists in Tehran, allegedly by Israel," read the report.

The latest warning by US authorities might hurt the tourism industry, which has recoved since the post-election crisis four years ago. But Kenyan police have moved to downplay the threat.

Police Commissioner Mathew Iteere said: "There is no cause for alarm. We have been working round the clock to ensure there is enough security in the country. We have also prevented several terror attempts linked to the terror groups."

The police chief said police have been working with a number of foreign security forces to secure the country's borders. Criminal Investigations Department chief Ndegwa Muhoro told the Sunday Nation the coastal town was "completely safe".

"The issue of advisories has been there for a long time, and that does not mean that something will definitely happen. But our officers have been on the alert and the situation in Mombasa is okay," he said.

While the US embassy in Nairobi warned Americans against travelling to Mombasa, it closed its operations there altogether and recalled government officials.

There had been reports four years ago that the US would reopen its consulate which was shut in 1993 at the Coast but that has not happened.

However, the State Department's foreign assistance arm, USaid, is active in a number of projects at the Coast.

The US moved to construct a number of schools and inaugurate water projects in Lamu as part of outreach efforts to tackle extremism following the November 28, 2002 attack on the Israeli-owned Paradise Hotel.

On Saturday, Mr Muhoro said Kenyan police were not privy to the intelligence reports referred to by the US embassy. Coast Province police chief Aggrey Adoli played down the warning, saying the Coast region was secure.

"We have not been consulted on that news about an imminent terror attack. We have been on top alert since last year when two visitors were kidnapped in Lamu," he said.

"Terror threats are a global security challenge and here in the country it is everywhere and I don't understand why they singled out Mombasa. However, we have deployed our officers and there is no cause for alarm."

Mr Adoli urged residents not to worry but to remain vigilant while going about their chores especially in public places.

http://www.nation.co.ke/News/US+emb...-/1056/1433976/-/item/0/-/cvms7r/-/index.html

 

[Moshe Dayan]

eh!! Wairan wanataka kutumia window of opportunity kwa kigezo cha al shabab ku-retaliate..,

Nlikua namskiliza MEIR DAGAN last week, alikua anasisitiza iran sio tishio kwa israel na kwamba kiddon wataendelea na targeted killings ila hakukubali moja kwa moja kama wanahusika na vifo vya wanasayansi wa iran,

 

[Bantugbro]

eh!! Wairan wanataka kutumia window of opportunity kwa kigezo cha al shabab ku-retaliate..,

Nlikua namskiliza MEIR DAGAN last week, alikua anasisitiza iran sio tishio kwa israel na kwamba kiddon wataendelea na targeted killings ila hakukubali moja kwa moja kama wanahusika na vifo vya wanasayansi wa iran,

Mkuu acha chuki zisizo na msingi...

 

[Kabaridi]

Ni kweli they should give information about possible situations but all this seems to be sensationalism from US media and government officials. You can also pick from their warning that they have credible-information about an "imminent attack". They should assist with intelligence gathering. And you can take the Nigeria scenario jinsi mabomu yanavorarua miji kula Kaduna state. In maana kuwa Wamarekani hawaendi Nigeria.

 

[Askari Kanzu]

One killed, 7 injured in Mishomoroni blast

Picha kwa hisani ya AFP
Posted Monday, June 25 2012 at 00:33

One man has been killed and seven others injured after a grenade attack in Mishomoroni area near Mombasa Town. The 10pm incident occurred at a bar as patrons watched a football match.

Witnesses say they heard three loud explosions followed by loud screaming. When Nation journalists arrived at the scene rescue, teams from the St John's Ambulance were rushing victims to Coast General Hospital in Mombasa.

Police cordoned off the area even as a large crowd began to gather at the scene.

The blast comes just a day after US authorities issued an alert of an imminent terror attack in the coastal city and pulled out its staff.

More to follow

Sunday Nation

 

[FJM]

ah, wale wamarekani hawakuweza kusaidia kuzima hii kitu? Si walisema wana 'credible info?

 

[Aleyn]

Kenya Bado Mna Kazi.

 

[Jackbauer]

dah!wamarekani wakishasema hii kitu,bahati mbaya intels hazikuweza kuzuia.

 

[Askari Kanzu]

dah!wamarekani wakishasema hii kitu,bahati mbaya intels hazikuweza kuzuia.

Tatizo ni la viongozi kudharau tahadhari zinazotolewa. Kwa mfano hivi leo Jumapili kaimu mkuu mtendaji wa idara ya ulinzi na jamii Francis Kimemia, kaimu waziri mkuu Kalonzo Musyoka na waziri wa utalii Dan Mwanzo walitoa madai kwamba hizo tahadhari za wamarekani ni njama za kuhujumu sera nzima ya utalii kwa kuwaogopesha watalii wasitie mguu Kenya. Sasa Al Shaabab nao wamewasikia kwa hiyo nadhani wameamua kufanyiza kweli!

Kenya accuses US of economic sabotage over alert

By Linah Benyawa
Head of the Civil Service Francis Kimemia and Tourism minister Dan Mwazo have accused the US of economic sabotage for issuing the latest terror alert warning US citizens to leave Mombasa.

The city has been on the edge following alerts from Western nations led by the US, Canada and the UK warning of an imminent terror attack in Mombasa or coastal resorts frequented by foreign tourists.

On Sunday Kimemia said Kenya has written a protest note to America through the US Embassy in Nairobi demanding a reversal of the terror advisory.

Mwazo rushed to Mombasa to calm down fears and arrest flight and tourism cancellations in a region that accounts for 62 per cent of all tourist arrivals in Kenya.

The minister said the Government "is disturbed by the travel advisory issued by the US because it amounts to economic sabotage" accusing the Americans of being malicious and insensitive "to issue such as an advisory, which would cripple the entire tourism industry."

Standard Digital




Comments posted on Youtube:

After the bomb blast in Mombasa tonight, the USA will take the protest letter and put it straight into the garbage without even opening the envelope.
soundbeans 53 minutes ago

lol safety sio? n there has just been a grenade attack a few minutes ago..this our government needs to listen...
djbryanw 1 hour ago

 

[Geza Ulole]

fools r fools let them conduct their internal security based on emotions and arrogance rather than intelligence

 

[TONGONI]

ah, wale wamarekani hawakuweza kusaidia kuzima hii kitu? Si walisema wana 'credible info?

Mambo mengine ni kama kifo Daktari anaweza kukiona,lakini hawezi kuzuia kisitokee ndio maana Marekani aliwaambia watu wake waondoke mapema.Kibaya zaidi walitoa tahadhari lakini wahusika wakabisha na kutuhumu kuwa Marekani inahujumu utalii na kujigamba kuwa wamedhibiti kila kila na hali ni salama........mwisho wa siku Booooooooooooom!!!!!!!

 

[Ab-Titchaz]

One killed, 13 injured in Kenya blast

A doctor at the Coast General Hospital attends to one of the victims of the blast on June 25, 2012. ​

By MARK AGUTU magutu@ke.nationmedia.com
Posted Monday, June 25 2012 at 00:49
One man has been killed and 13 others injured after a grenade attack in Mishomoroni area near Mombasa Town.


The 10pm incident occurred at a bar as patrons watched a football match.

When Nation journalists arrived at the scene, rescue teams from the St John's Ambulance were rushing victims to Coast General Hospital in Mombasa.

Witnesses said they saw two men and a woman arrive in a Rav 4 car, walk towards the bar and shortly afterwards the blasts occurred as the car sped off.

Mr Emmanuel Omondi told the Nation that he was in the pub for a few minutes and left to escort a friend when he heard successive explosions.

"At first I thought it was the transformer which had blown up because it has been having problems. But a few minutes later I heard a second blast and then a third one and realised these were explosions," he said.

He and other patrons who escaped unhurt helped carry some of the injured to matatus that rushed them to hospital before police and rescue teams arrived.

Provincial Police boss Aggrey Adoli and teams from the Anti-Terrorism and Criminal Investigations departments cordoned off the area even as a large crowd began to gather outside the bar.

The 10pm incident occurred at a bar as patrons watched a football match.

When Nation journalists arrived at the scene, rescue teams from the St John's Ambulance were rushing victims to Coast General Hospital in Mombasa.

Witnesses said they saw two men and a woman arrive in a Rav 4 car, walk towards the bar and shortly afterwards the blasts occurred as the car sped off.

Mr Emmanuel Omondi told the Nation that he was in the pub for a few minutes and left to escort a friend when he heard successive explosions.

"At first I thought it was the transformer which had blown up because it has been having problems. But a few minutes later I heard a second blast and then a third one and realised these were explosions," he said.

He and other patrons who escaped unhurt helped carry some of the injured to matatus that rushed them to hospital before police and rescue teams arrived.

Provincial Police boss Aggrey Adoli and teams from the Anti-Terrorism and Criminal Investigations departments cordoned off the area even as a large crowd began to gather outside the bar.

One killed, 13 injured in Kenya blast*- News*|nation.co.ke

 

[Ab-Titchaz]

Police at the scene of the blast in Mishomoroni on June 24, 2012.

The crowd that gathered at the scene of the blast in Mishomoroni area near Mombasa town on June 24, 2012.

One of the victims of the blast is assisted at the Coast General Hospital, Mombasa on June 25, 2012. One man was killed and seven others injured after the grenade attack in Mishomoroni.

Victims of the blast at the Coast General Hospital in Mombasa.

Police at the scene of the blast in Mishomoroni on June 24, 2012.​

 

[MkamaP]

Inabidi hawa wa marekani tuwaangalia kwa miwani mikali ktk haya matukio. Haiwezekani kila tukio wawe wanabashiri kabla ya kutokea. Haya si matukio kama mvua,upepo tetemeko la ardhi amabayo unaweza yaona kisayansi. Labda kama nao wameajiri kama yule pasta wa nigeria.

 

[Jackbauer]

wakenya kwa nyodo!!ona sasa wanavyoumbuka,huo utalii wanaousifia uko wapi?

 

[eliakeem]

poleni sana

 

[Kabaridi]

wakenya kwa nyodo!!ona sasa wanavyoumbuka,huo utalii wanaousifia uko wapi?

Mombasa utalii ulikwisha huko; Wakati huu kuna sehemu zinginezo kama Oltukai gorge. MkamaP hiyo ni kusudi na unafanywa kwa nia fulani. Huku wakibweka nao Iran tayari wametengeneza pilotless plane na wana vifaa vya nyuklia vinavyoendeshwa na laser kutoka kwa usaidizi wa Russia. Naonelea badala ya kupiga domo na mataifa changa ya Afrika waweke Iran (kiboko chao) karibu na darubini.

 

[MAMMAMIA]

Inabidi hawa wa marekani tuwaangalia kwa miwani mikali ktk haya matukio. Haiwezekani kila tukio wawe wanabashiri kabla ya kutokea. Haya si matukio kama mvua,upepo tetemeko la ardhi amabayo unaweza yaona kisayansi. Labda kama nao wameajiri kama yule pasta wa nigeria.

Maana ya kubashiri ndio hyo, iwe kabla halijatokea, likishatokea inakuwa ni kuripoti tu. Kama viongozi wa Kenya hawataki kupewa tahadhari, basi Intelijensia yao ilipaswa kuliona hilo kabla ya intelijensia za nje. Viongozi wa Kenya walipaswa kutilia maanani hilo onyo na kushirikiana nao.

Ninawapa pole waliofikwa na maafa haya.