[The Nation (Nairobi)] Police on Monday released photographs of four people who they say are al Shabaab officials operating in Kenya.The move comes a week after the group linked to al Qaeda terror network issued threats against Kenya for aiding the Transitional Federal Government in Somalia.
Besides, police released profiles of five others who they say have been planning terror attacks on Kenyan soil.
Nine others were nabbed in a night operation in Nairobi's Eastleigh estate at the weekend.
At the same time, police went to court seeking arrest warrants for the suspects.
Al Shabaab front man Sheikh Ali Mohamuo Raghe, alias Shiekh Ali Dhere, warned of Dire Revenge™ attacks against Kenya following intense fighting pitting his forces against the TFG troops, in which he lost control of Bullahawa, near the Kenyan border.
Kenyan military had prevented al Shabaab fighters fleeing the war from seeking refuge across the border.
"Previous warnings to Kenya are nothing compared to this one. We are going to retaliate against it (Kenya) harshly, " the al Shabaab front man was quoted saying in Mogadishu.
Police commissioner Mathew Iteere reacted by sending a security alert requiring precautionary measures at all public places while assuring Kenyans that adequate security measures had been put in place.
The police chief ordered heightened security at malls, hotels and in public service vehicles.