The National Police Service (NPS) has flagged a letter doing rounds on social media cautioning against a planned terror attack by Al-Shabab militants in Nairobi.
In a statement on Sunday, February 9 night, NPS clarified that the letter did not originate from the service and warned members of the public from falling for it.
“We wish to caution the general public that the document circulating on social media, purported to be from Kenya Police Service, is fake,” NPS stated.
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The fake letter dated February 7 and addressed to all station police commanders alleged that the Al-Shabab militants were planning to carry out a terror attack in Nairobi in retaliation to the killing of their fighters and leaders.
The letter claimed that the militants were emboldened by the capture of government officials in the northeastern region as well as attacks on government projects.
Further, the flagged letter cautioned that major malls, public areas, government installations, and embassies were being targeted.
The clarification by NPS comes days after five chiefs were abducted by suspected Al-Shabaab militants in Elwak, Mandera County.
The five were traveling in a vehicle to Elwak when they were attacked and hijacked by the militia.
Following the incident, President William Ruto pledged to bring back the five chiefs noting that security agencies were in hot pursuit of the militants.
Terrorist attacks in Kenya have declined in recent years as the police and Kenya Defence Forces have worked hand in hand to prevent al-Shabab from entering the country.
