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RAF Jets Intercept Kenya Airways Flight To Heathrow Over Security Threat
In a dramatic turn of events, RAF jets were scrambled to intercept a Kenya Airways flight on Thursday, 12 October 2023, after a potential security threat was reported. The Boeing 787, which was en route from Nairobi to Heathrow Airport, was diverted to Stansted Airport instead, where it landed safely.
According to reports, the Typhoon jets took over the interception from French jets, as the flight was approaching UK airspace. Essex Police were also called to the airport, and the aircraft was thoroughly searched by security personnel.
In a press statement, Kenya Airways said that it had received an alert of a potential security threat on board the flight at around 10:30 a.m. The airline’s management team, in conjunction with security authorities in Kenya and the United Kingdom, carried out a thorough risk assessment and took all necessary safety and security precautions.
The airline said that the safety and security of its crew and passengers is its number one priority.
The incident caused some disruption to flights at Stansted Airport, but the airport remained open and flights resumed normal operations shortly after.
US Embassy in Nairobi Warns of Suspected Terror Attacks
The United States Embassy in Nairobi Friday October 13, 2023 issued a security alert warning its citizens of a potential increase in terrorist attacks in Nairobi and other parts of Kenya. The alert specifically mentions hotels, embassies, restaurants, malls and markets, schools, police stations, and places of worship as being at risk.
The alert came after the recent attacks in Northern Kenya and the Coast regions where suspected Al Shabaab militants have killed dozens of civilians and police officers. Al Shabaab is a Somali-based terrorist group that has carried out numerous attacks in Kenya in recent years.
The US Embassy has advised its citizens to avoid crowded areas, be aware of their surroundings, and report any suspicious activity to the authorities.
Sondu Border Clashes Leave 7 Dead, 10 Arrested
Ten people have been arrested in connection with clashes at the Kericho-Kisumu border in Sondu that have left seven people dead and disrupted normalcy in the region.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki said on Friday, October 13, that special forces, including the Anti-Riot Specialised Forces, have been deployed in the area to contain the situation.
Kindiki vowed to ruthlessly punish the criminals who have been causing havoc in the Kericho-Kisumu border.
“It is unfortunate that we have lost lives senselessly, and we have instructed our police officers to ensure that there is no recurrence of violence whatsoever in that area, even as we pursue peacebuilding,” Kindiki said.
Kindiki expressed disappointment in the regional police forces for their failure to prevent the clashes, and affirmed that subsequent scenarios in the area will be handled differently and with strict adherence to the law.
This comes days after he transferred security chiefs from both sides of the border as the government moved to restore calm and normalcy to the area.
“Some of our police officers should have acted differently to avert the loss of life we have witnessed. As a result, it has been decided that first we must firmly enforce the law, isolate criminals from either county, and deal with them firmly and without mercy,” Kindiki noted.
The Interior Boss disclosed that his docket will be working with the Ministry of Lands to handle the boundary dispute between the two clashing communities amicably.
The counties have different opinions on where the boundaries are, and the mandate on boundary review lies with the survey department. We are engaging with the Ministry of Lands and other responsible agencies,” the Interior Cabinet Secretary said.
The clashes erupted on Wednesday morning when criminals armed with bows and arrows raided the East Kadiang’a location in Upper Nyakach division and unleashed terror on the residents before fleeing the scene.
A house was torched in the latest attack, which comes barely two weeks after another attack in the area left one person dead and several injured.
During his four-day visit to Nyanza, President William Ruto ordered the arrest of all those behind the clashes at the Kericho-Kisumu border in Sondu that have left seven people dead.
Ruto said Kenya has no time for people stoking tribal hate and ordered Interior Security Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki to crack down on the perpetrators.
“There are people taking us backwards, and we will deal with them the same way we have dealt with the bandits in the North Rift and Al Shabaab,” he said.
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