•Oguna said security had been heightened following the twin blasts in Kampala.
•He called for prompt reporting of any suspicious character, movement or unattended parcels to the nearest police officer or station.
Image: COURTESY
The government has advised Kenyans to stay vigilant especially while in crowded places in light of active terror threats.
Government spokesman Cyrus Oguna said in a statement on Monday that security agencies had heightened surveillance in the country following the twin blasts that hit Uganda’s capital Kampala, but citizen support was still paramount in averting similar attacks in Kenya.
“We urge citizens to be vigilant while in places with high human traffic and promptly report any suspicious character, behavior, movement or unattended parcels to the nearest police officer or station,” Oguna said.
He noted that terrorism remained a global threat facing most countries but assured Kenyans that security forces were alert and monitoring the situation internally and along Kenya’s borders.
“As government, we reaffirm our commitment to guarantee total security to all our people,” Oguna said.
“We take this opportunity to thank Kenyans for their continued support and collaboration with security forces by providing information that has led to foiling of many plans by criminal elements, thereby contributing to improved security,” he added.
Oguna’s statement echoed a similar one issued earlier by police spokesman Bruno Shioso that the government had intensified operations and security following the blasts in Kampala.
“We are alert at the border in case those behind the incident try to flee here. Locally we are also on alert in case of any planned incident,” he said.
The twin blasts in Kampala claimed six lives, including those of three suicide bombers.
Uganda Police Spokesperson Fred Enanga said two of the attackers disguised themselves as bodaboda riders before detonating the bombs they had carried in back packs. The third attacker was on foot.
The attacks occurred three minutes apart, with the first one going off at 10:03 am at a check point outside the Central Police station. A civilian and a police officer died in the blast alongside the attacker.
“Those who were rushed to hospital with injuries were 17,” Enanga said.
He said the second bomb blast wet off at 10:06 am on Parliament Avenue killing two suicide bombers and a civilian.
“Our bomb forensic experts are still documenting the scene to come up with the actual number of victims,” Enanga said.