Kenya heightens security at airports following reports of planned attacks by Al Shabab

Security has been beefed up at major Kenyan airports in the wake of planned attacks by Al-Shabab militant group ostensibly targeting domestic flights.

The information was obtained from a leaked internal memo which shows that up to 11 suicide bombers had been trained in Somalia to undertake the attack.

“The attacks mainly target domestic flights and operatives posing as passengers intend to blow themselves up during landing,” read part of the memo dated February 26 and signed by head of security Eric Kiraithe.

KenyaAirports, should we assume your bosses Kiraithe is NAK and Yatich URP & are playing politics with our lives? pic.twitter.com/nSSKmY9oix

— Mr. B (Benogola) February 29, 2016

The breakdown of the attack according to the memo was as follows; “Five operatives will target Jomo Kenyatta International Airport or Wilson Airport while the rest will focus on airports at the Coast region among them Moi International Airport.”

However, in another internal memo issued by the acting managing director of Kenya Airports Authority, Yatich Kanugo on Monday, indicated that “Kenyan airports are not under imminent attacks.”

Domestic air travel is a preferred means of movement for a section of Kenyans. As a result, there are many local flights that operate to various airports within the country.

The Standard Digital newspaper of Kenya reports that checks showed heightened security screening at the airports.

The memo comes days after Inspector General of police Joseph Boinnet said Al-Shabab threat remains alive in the country.