Foreign missions in Nairobi say they shared with the Kenya Government intelligence on imminent terrorist attacks. Some envoys said the information could have been used to avert the killing of 148 people at Garissa University College.

Western diplomats interviewed by the Nation said it was routine to share such information, which also led to the decision by the UK and Australia to revise their travel advisories on some parts of Kenya.

“It is a general practice to exchange information. Sometimes we get it and pass it to Kenyan authorities or other missions. At times Kenyan authorities pass it to us and other embassies,” said a diplomat who asked to remain anonymous.

READ: East Africa on high alert following attack on Kenya

A UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office official told the Nation that their warning to British nationals was based on information from diplomatic reports, media, local knowledge and intelligence agencies, including Kenyan authorities.

“The security assessment leading to travel advice is shared with the Kenyan Government,” the British diplomat said.

The official disputed claims that the UK’s warnings were selective and targeted Kenya, saying London has a duty to advise its citizens “based solely on an objective assessment of the threat against British nationals abroad”.

Refuted claims

However, the government refuted claims that it sat on the advice about an imminent attack, saying the information it received was general. Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed said Kenya did not get any specific and “actionable” information on the Garissa attack.

“The government receives a lot of information that is of a generalised nature and too vague to be acted upon. Governments need specific information in order to step up pre-emptive actions,” she said.

READ: Pope urges end to ‘absurd’ violence, prays for Kenya