Kenya: Attack in Garissa county January 20

Event

According to police reports, security forces repelled an attack targeting a Chinese-owned construction company in Shimbirey Mbalambala sub-county (Garissa County) on Sunday, January 20. At least two people were injured following exchange of fire between the assailants and the police forces. The identity of the assailants remains unclear, although Al-Shabaab is suspected. Further such attacks are possible in the near-term.

Context

Al-Shabaab 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 attack targeting the DusitD2 complex hotel in Nairobi, in which 21 people were killed.

Advice

Due to various security concerns, many Western governments advise against travel to a number of regions in the country, including areas bordering Somalia (parts of Garissa, Mandera, Wajir, and Lamu counties), Ethiopia, and South Sudan. Nonessential travel to the city of Mombasa and several Nairobi neighborhoods (including Eastleigh and Pangani) is also advised against.