Kenya urges vigilance after terror attacks in Somalia, Indonesia

Kenyan police on Friday appealed to the citizens to remain vigilant in the wake of terror attacks in Somalia and Indonesia where dozens of people were killed and others injured.

Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinett called on hotels, landlords and public service vehicle (PSV) operators to screen their customers as the police stepped up security around the country.

"Police call on Kenyans to maintain vigilance following latest terrorist attacks in Somalia and Indonesia. Hotels, landlords and PSV operators urged to properly vet their customers," Boinett said in a brief statement issued in Nairobi.

His statement comes after some people were killed in Thursday's deadly terror attack in Jakarta.

Terror group Islamic State later claimed responsibility for the attack in an online statement.

Boinett's plea also comes as fierce fighting was still ongoing between Kenyan troops under AMISOM command and Al-Shabaab militants in Elade, Gedo region of southern Somalia.

Kenya Defence Force (KDF) spokesman Colonel David Obonyo said unknown number of soldiers have been killed following an early morning Al Shabaab attack at the Somali National Army (SNA) camp, which is in close proximity to the KDF camp at Elade in Somalia.

"The SNA camp was over run and the KDF troops under AMISOM counter-attacked in support of SNA. The fighting was still ongoing by the time of this release and the number of casualties on both sides is unknown," Obonyo said.

The early morning attack when the insurgents rammed a suicide car bomb inside the gates of the SNA camp, sparking heavy gunfire from KDF as the Al-Shabaab fighters stormed into the base.

However, Somalia Army commander in Gedo region Ibrahim Mohamud said the attack took place at the KDF military base which had only a few Somali soldiers inside the camp who escaped the attack.

"Al-Shabaab fighters attacked Ceel-Cade military base which is 60 km to Garbaharey town in Gedo region early this morning. It was a base for Kenyan military forces, there were a few Somali soldiers with Kenyans and escaped. Al-Shabab captured the camp and many Kenyan soldiers," Mohamud said.

He said the fighting was still ongoing which has been made it difficult to establish the number of casualties.

"Communication in the area has been affected. There are Kenyan warplanes which are going to rescue their troops from there, I cannot tell you a number of casualties since the telephone network in the area is not working now," he added.

The residents have expressed fears that the warplanes overflying the area might launch airstrikes in the area. Endit