Kenyan police kill 4 most wanted terror suspects

Kenya's anti-terrorism police on Wednesday killed four most wanted terror suspects and recovered firearms and five grenades in the coastal town of Malindi.

Malindi divisional police commander Matawa Muchangi said the four were shot dead in a fierce shoot-out with detectives who have been trailing them for some time.

Muchangi said the officers recovered a pistol and five hand grenades from a house believed to be their hideout.

"Our officers conducted a dawn operation, where the suspects engaged them in gun battle but they were overpowered. We managed to recover weapons from the house," said Muchangi.

Kenya security agents are on higher alert following Friday's attack at a military base in Somalia where dozens of Kenya military soldiers were killed in suicide attack.

Regional Criminal Investigation commander Henry Ondiek said police officers have heightened security in major towns and urged locals to be alert.

"We have increased intelligence and we are appealing for public support on the war on terror," Ondiek said.

According to police, the four are among the most wanted terror suspects who escaped during joint anti-terrorism raids in Mombasa and Malindi on Jan. 5.

Muchangi said the four were on police radar and linked with the Al-Shabaab terror network in Mombasa and Malindi respectively.

According to detectives, the four had planned to carry out terrorist attacks targeting shopping malls, police stations and national parks.

The killing came as authorities have ordered intensive security checks on all government and diplomatic service vehicles entering offices, malls, hotels and entertainment spots in the latest show of high-level alertness against the threat of terrorism.

"It is important to note that we are still under threat of terrorism and all vehicles... must go through a thorough search at points of entry into offices, buildings and malls," the police said on Monday. Enditem