NAIROBI CORE EAC CONVENED TO DISCUSS RECENT THREAT REPORTING

S E C R E T NAIROBI 002676


NOFORN
TERREP

DEPT FOR DS/IP/AF, DS/DSS/ITA, DS/ICI/PII, INR, AF/E, CA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/26/2018
TAS: ASEC, KE, PTER
SUBJECT: NAIROBI CORE EAC CONVENED TO DISCUSS RECENT THREAT
REPORTING

REF: TD-314/085165-08

Classified By RSO Jeffrey C. Breed for Reasons 1.4 a,b,c,d,e,f,g


1. (S/NF) Summary: Embassy Nairobi's Acting Deputy Chief of
Mission (DCM) convened Post's Core Emergency Action Committee
(EAC) on 28 November 2008 to discuss recent reporting
contained in RefTel regarding a threat to the Lamu Festival
taking place in Lamu, Kenya from 28 to 30 December 2008 and
its impact, if any, on Post operations, facilities, and/or
personnel, as well as on private American Citizens
working/residing in Kenya. The EAC agreed that a Warden
Message should be sent due to the specific threat to Western
interests and Consular will be forwarding language for
approval from the Department. The Ambassador will be
traveling to this event, as well as a number of Embassy
personnel on both personal and official travel, and the
Kenyan Security services are monitoring known persons and the
area for all suspicious activity. End Summary.


2. (SBU) On 28 November 2008, Acting DCM convened a meeting
of Embassy Nairobi's Core EAC, to include the Regional
Security Office (RSO),Regional Affairs Office (RA),Defense
Attach Office (DAO),Somalia Section, Kenya US Liaison
Office (KUSLO),FBI Legal Attach (LegAtt),Consular Section
(Cons),Management, Public Affairs, Agency for International
Development (AID),and Political Office to discuss recent
reporting contained in RefTel.

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Lamu Festival
--------------

3. (S/NF) The EAC reviewed the following information
contained in RefTel:

-- As of 22 November 2008, unidentified Al-Qa'ida elements
were planning suicide attacks on small groups of western
visitor to the Lamu cultural festival between 28-30 November

2008. The attacks were being planned in Mombasa at an
unknown location. One or more of the individuals returned to
Kenya from Ethiopia was assisting the group with designing
and building the explosives. The group plans to move to
Lamu as the festival date nears in order to link up with
another element in Lamu.

-- Kenya Security Services agree that monitoring the
activities of Ali Tunza and Salim Awadh Salim is crucial at
this point to identify who is involved in the plans. The
United States and the European Union have been great sponsors
of this festival. Festival organizers have invited envoys
from the United States and the European Union as well as
other local and international dignitaries who may also be
targeted for attacks. Threats by al-Shabaab have been on
the rise and the possibility of targeting festivals cannot be
ruled out. Investigations by Kenyan Security Services have
been launched in Lamu, Malindi and Mombasa to verify the
information.


4. (S/NF) GRPO advises that the ultimate Source of this
information is a Sub-Source of unknown credibility. However,
all entities are aggressively pursuing further details and
providing extra security support and personnel in attempts to
address this threat information.


5. (S/NF) RSO personnel met with Kenya Police
Service/Anti-Terrorism Police Unit (KPS/ATPU) counterparts to
discuss this threat and ATPU's actions to address. As the
Ambassador will be attending this festival with other
Ambassadors from Western countries, the KPS, and in
particular the ATPU, will be providing additional personnel
to monitor the events. RSO offered to support ATPU's efforts
by having two of their officers operate from two
RSO/Anti-Terrorism Assistance (ATA) boats currently being
utilized for training in Manda Bay. These officers will
coordinate efforts, information, and action with an Assistant
RSO who will accompany the Ambassador on his trip. The
Ambassador will travel to Lamu on 29 November 2008 and host
an event on a Dhow (boat) for a few dozen people the same
day. He will overnight at the Lamu House and return to
Nairobi on 30 November 2008.

--------------
Kiwayu Gang
--------------

6. (S/NF) According to an RSO civilian source and ATPU
counterparts, Kenyan security forces are currently in pursuit
of a group of 18 (6 armed) that came into Kiwayu from Somalia
on 23 November 2008. The &gang8 is being pursued through
the Boni/Dodoru forest, approximately 50 kilometers Northeast
of Lamu. ATPU advises that this area is frequently used by
smugglers and poachers and the gang's actions are currently
in line with this type of activity. No connection to any
threat reporting, to include the Lamu Festival, is being made
at this time.

--------------
Consular
--------------

7. (SBU) As the information contained in RefTel is aimed at
Western interests, EAC members agreed that a general Warden
Message should be approved and sent, reminding Americans of
the general threat of terrorist attacks, to include to
tourist areas and large festivals. Consular will be
submitting language for immediate Department approval and
issuance. The Embassy will not be prohibiting personal or
official travel of USG employees to Lamu due to this threat
information.

--------------
Security Posture
--------------

8. (SBU) Post's security posture remains high, as it
continues to be rated Critical for both Terrorism and Crime.


9. (SBU) Points of Contact for this matter is RSO Jeffrey C.
Breed and DRSO Jeffrey M. Roberts.
Regards.


RANNEBERGER