On 27 February 2020, the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi issued a Security Alert, which reads in part as follows:
“Location: Nairobi
“Event: Terrorist groups may be plotting an attack against a major hotel in Nairobi. The exact hotel has not been identified, but it is believed to be a hotel popular with tourists and business travelers.”
Analyst Comment: Travelers and expatriates in Nairobi — and across Kenya more generally — should expect increased security in light of the threat notice. In the past, Somalia-based al-Shabab militants have frequently threatened to carry out attacks targeting prominent sites in Nairobi, including hotels. Such threats are in line with the overall threat pattern in Kenya, where terrorism is a significant concern.
