The security situation has been tenuous in the country over the past week following the killing of an aid worker and the kidnapping of four others in the Dadaab Refugee Camp in Northern Kenya. In the same week, 17 people were killed and over 60 others injured in simultaneous attacks on two churches in Garissa town. The attacks brought to the forefront the intent of terrorists, their sympathizers and other criminals to carry out heinous acts that could result in mass casualties.

Robert Oisebe, ILRI’s Chief Security Officer in Nairobi, pointed out in his weekly security advisory that, crime is still a matter of concern for the security forces in the capital and reports of high levels of carjacking and break-ins in residential areas continued to be reported. Bag and phone snatching from vehicles and muggings of pedestrians are rampant around Westlands and Sarit Centre roundabouts especially at night. Reports of spiking of drinks in bars and clubs are also on the rise. The Chief Security Officer offered the following advisory to staff members and their dependants:

• Critically examine plans/routines that could expose you to terrorist related activities especially at large gathering and public places.
• When entering a public venue, make a mental note of safety features such as alternate exits, emergency exits and extinguishers
• Avoid assembling in large groups or in public places or facilities with high occupancy levels like bus terminals, shopping centres, access points among others.
• Beware of your surroundings and utilize your powers of observation (if it doesn’t look, sound or smell right, then it’s not right), if you feel uncomfortable with the surrounding or people at a gathering, follow your instincts and leave immediately.

In the Event of a detonation of an explosive or other security incident;

• Be aware of the possibility of secondary activities such as; secondary explosions, gunfire, collapsing buildings and pick-pocketing.
• Avoid being part of the surge of people towards the incident site as it happened in the explosion on Moi Avenue in Nairobi. You will always have the opportunity at a later time to have a first-hand account of the incident through various sources.
• If not injured, get to safety without any delay and be on the lookout all around you to assess the surroundings. If your vehicle is caught up in a crowded parking area, do not attempt to recover it immediately. This could expose you to harm.
• Adhere to basic security practices like rolling up windows, locking doors, avoiding isolated and dimly lit areas, driving to a police station or public place if you suspect you are being trailed, programming of emergency contacts in your phone, and avoid displaying attractive items on the seat of your vehicle.
• If injured, seek medical assistance and if possible call or ask that a call be made to ILRI SECURITY (020-4223362 /0728 970722 /0733 634907) at the earliest possible opportunity.