A police truck is seen parked near the International House in Nairobi on Saturday, January 4, 2020.
Security officers in Nairobi look to be on high alert following the killing of top Iranian general Qassem Soleimani in an American air strike attack on Friday, January 3.
On Saturday, there was heavy presence of General Service Unit (GSU) officers and regular police patrolling the Kenyan capital.
According to the Daily Nation, there were at least 50 hawk-eyed multi-agency officers at the Hilton Hotel, located in the city’s central business district.
A truck and two Land Rover vehicles full of police officers could be seen parked between the hotel and the International House ready for any eventuality.
Anti-terror police were also spotted at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport as flights to Lamu were suspended after the attack.
Huge presence of anti-terror police at JKIA.
Extra roadblocks erected.
KCAA has also suspended flights to and from Lamu.
Screening to be enhanced in and around airports countrywide.
— Robert Alai (@RobertAlai) January 5, 2020
The increase in hostility between the US and Iran means the officers have to be ready as it is assumed Iranians could attack American interests in other countries including Kenya, having vowed to revenge the killing of its top commander.
A GSU officer who was not authorised to speak to the press said security operations at all American installations in the country had been beefed up following the killing of the Iranian general.
On Sunday, January 5, al-Shabaab militia unsuccessfully attacked Manda Airstrip in Lamu which hosts both US and Kenyan soldiers.
The attack happened at around 5:30 m but was neutralised leaving four terrorists dead as confirmed by the Kenya Defense Forces (KDF).
United States President Donald Trump said he ordered the assassination of Soleimani after learning he was planning to kill US diplomats.
