Athletics
Major security plans for Kenya
2010-07-24 21:08
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Nairobi -Kenyan police will mount their biggest ever operation to prevent any posssible attacks during next week's African athletics championships, a top official said on Saturday.
Police spokesman Eric Kiraithe said the government security agencies would be deployed within the hotels housing the athletes and officials, the practice areas and the main venue at the Nyayo National stadium, where the five-day championships gets under way on Wednesday.
"Our security team has reviewed all security arrangements in the hotels where the teams will be residing to ascertain that they are adequate to prevent an possible criminal attack to the athletes," Kiraithe said at a news conference.
"All the teams will be provided with police escorts while travelling to their training venues, hotels and the stadium."
His assurance came only days after the US issued a travel alert on Kenya, citing increasing threats following a deadly suicide attack in neighbouring Uganda which left 76 people dead three weeks ago.
"The lessons learned from our experience of hosting major international events including the World cross country championships in Mombasa in 2007 and the All-Africa Games in 1987 have been utilised," Karaithe said.
"The security planning team has also benefited from some of the best practices noted in other countries, including the just-concluded World Cup in South Africa," he added.
Over 700 athletes from 45 countries will compete in the championships, which will be held between August 28 to August 1, 2010.