Travellers using Kenya’s airports will
take longer to gain entry following the introduction of stiffer security
procedures aimed at preventing terror attacks.
The new
measures require that all vehicles must be stopped and searched at the
entry points while the occupants should alight for frisking.
The
security upgrade was announced by Kenya Airports Authority managing
director Lucy Mbugua in an advertisement in yesterday’s Nation.
MATTERS OF CONCERN
And
since most airlines ask passengers to be at the airport two hours
before departure, it means one must be at the security barriers three
hours before time.
The security standards were raised
barely two weeks after an explosion at Jomo Kenyatta International
Airport, Nairobi, on January 16.
Investigations showed
the blast was caused by detonators that were abandoned in a dustbin by
terrorists while a 2kg bomb, which they had intended to plant there, was
found in their getaway car in Shauri Moyo.
Head of
airports security Eric Kiraithe said the new checks were put in place in
response to “intelligence reports and matters of concern raised.”
While
information gathered by undercover officers showed the airports were
among installations targeted by terrorists, an expose by NTV revealed
serious security lapses.
Mr Kiraithe said: “All the
security checks are intelligence led. But NTV also highlighted a matter
of public concern and when it’s raised, especially on serious issues,
then we must respond.”
The NTV expose, Terrorists
Playground, revealed that many vehicles passed through security barriers
without being searched and luggage would be left unattended for long
periods without raising the curiosity of security officers.
Mr Kiraithe said the security arrangements had been planned long before but would now be fast tracked.
The airport would be modelled to have 16 security checks at entry points.
“We
had planned for the increased security checks so that 16 vehicles would
be stopped for inspection at any given time, just before the
roundabout. We appreciate the NTV programme. And because we have
officers on the ground, they have also seen the public concern,” Mr
Kiraithe added.
Regarding increasing the number of
lanes to accommodate more check points, he also said: “Once they are in
place, passengers will spend less time but for now, all must cope. At
the best scenario, we hope to have achieved it within 90 days and in the
worst, about 135 days.”
SECURITY UPGARDE
The security upgrade caused extended queues at main entrance.
Mr
Kiraithe further said: “We do not want a situation where you arrive at
the airport on a day when the situation demands less inspection and
think it will always be like that. Adhere to the one hour rule because
we do not want anybody to miss his or her flight.”
When
the Nation visited JKIA, all entrants underwent the security procedures
except security chiefs who were rushing to the airport to see off
President Kenyatta who was due to depart for African Union summit in
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Officers doing the checks were
also asking entrants to declare the contents of their luggage, and
cautioned them there would be further screening at the departure
terminal to authenticate.
While some officers kept watch with AK-47 rifles, others had hand-held metal detectors to frisk the entrants.
General Service Unit officers were also on standby.
Passengers who spoke to the Nation said the upgrade caught them unawares but appreciated it, saying the process was fast enough.
A
passenger who identified himself only as Salim said: “It’s good because
there is no need to hurry and your safety is compromised.”
Besides the explosion, police are also investigating the source of smoke grenades that were found in a toilet on January 9.
Immigration department introduced Biometric Machines technology for passengers leaving the county at JKIA last month.
The
department added in a statement to travel agencies: “The short term
solution for this, until the immigration increases more counters, is to
advise our clients to come early for Check-in. This is, therefore, to
kindly request you to strictly follow minimum check-in time at the
airport which is 3hrs before departure with immediate effect.”
In
another statement Kenya Airways also advised its customers to arrive at
the airport earlier than normal times to allow for the stricter
security check.
BE EARLY FOR FRISKING
“Kenya
Airways wishes to advise all guests departing from Jomo Kenyatta
International Airport in Nairobi to plan to be at the airport at least
an hour before normal check-in time. This is to allow for sufficient
time to go through the enhanced security checks and be on time for
scheduled flights,” it said.
Security authorities have
been on high alert in other parts of the country as a result of threats
posed by the Somali terrorist group Al-shabaab.
The Embassy of the Republic of Turkey wrote to the government asking for enhanced at its premises on Gigiri road.
In
a confidential note seen by Nation, the officials warned of heightened
terrorist threat directed against Turkish interests in the Horn of
Africa and Kenya.
It read in part: “Al-Shabaab is
preparing an armed terrorist attack towards Turkish mission in Kenya.
The Embassy therefore requests the relevant Kenyan authorities to
immediately strengthen and enhance the security of the embassy’s
compound.”
Intelligence briefs also showed potential
threats at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH), Parliament buildings,
military headquarters and the Kenyatta International Conference Centre
(KICC).
On Wednesday last week, a team of 20 officers
from the General Service Unit’s (GSU) elite squad, the Recce were
deployed at the Village Market for hours before they left. They surveyed
the whole mall including the exits and entry points.
On
Tuesday, few metres from the Embassy of Turkey, security agents
thwarted an impending attack at the Village Market in Gigiri.
Additional reports by ZADOCK ANGIRA AND CHARLES WOKABI
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