Kenya: Increased security measures during Easter weekend April 19-21

Event

Kenya’s National Police Service announced on Thursday, April 18, that security measures will be increased throughout the country during the Easter holiday weekend. Additional officers are being deployed at religious centers and entertainment venues through Sunday, April 21, as a precaution. Authorities also announced that ten response teams will be deployed on major highways to help manage traffic during the holiday and prevent road accidents. According to official statistics, road accidents resulted in 37 fatalities in 2018 during Easter weekend. A heightened security presence and increased traffic congestion is anticipated throughout the country in through Sunday.

Context

Kenya remains on high alert for attacks conducted by Al-Shabaab. The group continues to carry out attacks near the porous border with Somalia as well as in coastal areas, and in the capital Nairobi, in retaliation for Kenya's participation in a multi-national force fighting Al-Shabaab in Somalia since 2011. On January 15, Al-Shabaab militants carried out an operation targeting the DusitD2 complex hotel in Nairobi, in which 21 people were killed.

Advice

Individuals in Kenya are advised to remain vigilant for militant activity, obey all instructions issued by the local authorities, and anticipate heightened security measures and crowded conditions.