Kenyan police enhance security in Nairobi

Friday, May 15, 2015

NAIROBI -- Kenyan police on Thursday beefed up security around key roads and other installations in Nairobi as part of new security measures aimed at thwarting terror attacks.

Nairobi Traffic Police Commandant Edward Mwamburi said movement of vehicles on roads around Parliament, Office of the President and his deputy including Treasury offices will be restricted.

"We are regulating the flow of trafficking in the city especially around the parliament for security reasons," Mwamburi said without elaborating.

Mwamburi said no vehicles will be allowed to drive on the stretch on Harambee Avenue between Vigilance House and Uhuru Highway which houses offices for senior government officials.

However, Nairobi Central police commander Paul Wanjama termed the introduction of the roadblocks normal and added they were aimed at enhancing security at Parliament Buildings.

"We erected the roadblocks there as part of measures to ensure security on Parliament Buildings. Only authorized vehicles will be allowed in there and there will be restrictions on adjacent roads, " said Wanjama.

The security officers manning the roadblocks turned away some vehicles and allowed those headed for Parliament Buildings amid thorough search and screening of the vehicles at the entrance.

The officers said they under instructions not allow non- authorised vehicles around the street. Similar measures targeted motorists headed for Harambee House, the Office of the President.

Wanjama said there was no specific threat on the installations and that they were doing so as a "precaution" amid speculations there were serious terror related dangers.

The move came weeks after a staffer at Parliament Buildings was arrested in April for allegedly plotting to blow up the Parliament Building.

The official is expected to be released on Friday after spending over a month with police who were probing him.

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