KENYA ON HIGH ALERT AFTER UGANDA ATTACK
NAIROBI - Kenya’s government has said security agencies are on high alert following Tuesday’s terror attacks in the capital of neighbouring Uganda.
Government spokesperson Cyrus Oguna urged citizens to be vigilant and report any suspicious people.
The alert comes days after three prisoners who were convicted for terrorism-related charges escaped from a maximum security prison just outside the capital Nairobi.
In Uganda, three suicide bombers detonated explosives at two sites in Kampala killing themselves and three other people.
Tuesday’s explosions killed three civilians, as well as three suicide bombers, according to official figures. Over 30 people were injured in the blasts.
Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, in a series of tweets on Tuesday night, condemned the attacks and said that they were being carried out by “confused grandchildren.”
The Islamic State group has said it was behind Tuesday’s blasts.
Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is in Kenya for regional security talks with President Uhuru Kenyatta.
The talks involve regional security issues including the conflict in Ethiopia, combating Islamist terrorism in Somalia, and reviving Sudan’s transition to a civilian government.
The US sees Kenya as a key partner and important influence in East Africa.
The State Department said Blinken - on his first African tour - will discuss cooperation in ending the Covid pandemic, investing in health and addressing the climate crisis.
Analysts say the visit is also intended to counter China’s growing economic influence in Africa. Later in the week, Blinken will travel to West Africa.