As Kenyans come to terms with the deadly Al Shabaab terrorist attack on Garissa University College, one of the most gruesome terrorist attacks in the country’s history, questions are being asked why the Kenyan security services appeared to have been caught flatfooted again.

Several foreign missions in Nairobi, including American and British and Australia, had issued fresh travel advisories days before to their citizens about travelling to various locations within the country and Nairobi.

The Kenyan government, however, said it had been caught by surprise when terrorists descended on the university college, despite reports that public institutions had been warned.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph Nkaissery brushed aside the question whether a travel warning issued by the United Kingdom and Australian governments had been ignored, saying that the attack was in fact unexpected.

“This incident, which happened today, is one of those incidents, which can surprise any country,” Mr Nkaissery said.

READ: Kenya govt says attack caught State by 'suprise'

In its travel advisory, the UK government recommended only essential travel to its citizens to areas around the Coast and northeastern, including Garissa County.

In a move that shows the Kenyan government was aware of an impending attack, it had previously directed universities, especially those in Nairobi, to advise students to be vigilant. The University of Nairobi was on a lockdown a fortnight ago after it emerged that it could be a key target of a terrorist attack.

Just a day prior to the attack, Kenya’s President Uhuru Kenyatta criticised the UK government for issuing travel advisories to its citizens, saying they were based on “untrue” information about Kenya’s security.

“I have not heard the British issue travel advisories against Paris where terrorists attacked the headquarters of a satirical magazine early this year. I have not heard the British issue travel advisories against other European capitals. We want to send a clear message that they will not intimidate us with these threats,” said President Kenyatta.

READ: Uhuru Kenyatta tells off UK for fresh travel warning

In what will now become a matter of national debate, British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond accused Kenya of sitting on intelligence information, making it difficult to review the warnings.

A security adviser with connections to one of the local foreign embassies said they knew this attack was imminent, but Kenya ignored mostly because of the stalemate with the British soldiers training programme.

“When these advisories were issued, it was believed that the UK was hitting back at Kenya’s hard stance on signing these training contracts but the truth is that we had intelligence of an impending attack and these foreign embassies have to protect their interests first. That’s why the travel advisory was issued. Sadly, the British have been vindicated,” he said.

According to the security adviser, intelligence sources indicated that they had received credible information regarding a possible attack in Garissa and prominent buildings that housed schools, churches and a recently opened supermarket in the town.

“The timing of the attack is what remained unknown but there are reasons to believe that the potential attack is in the last stages of planning,” he said.

The United States said it was providing assistance to the Kenyan government, and will continue to partner with it as well as with others in the region to take on the terrorist group Al Shabaab.

“The United States stands resolutely with the government and people of Kenya in the effort to end the scourge of terrorism. The attack once again reinforces the need for all countries and communities to unite in the effort to combat violent extremism,” John Kerry, US Secretary of States said.

Amnesty International also said that the Kenyan government failed to respond adequately to the expressed fears of a terrorist attack in the country.

READ: US pledges to help Kenya fight Al-Shabaab as AI accuses Uhuru of failing Kenyans

“Citizens and public servants in the north have repeatedly expressed fears about their vulnerability to Al Shabaab attacks, which the Kenyan government has failed to appropriately address,” said Muthoni Wanyeki, Amnesty International’s East Africa regional director.

“It is the government’s responsibility to guarantee the security of all its citizens, including those in the north and to do everything legally in their power to prevent such attacks from taking place at all. We urge the Kenyan authorities to act decisively to ensure protection for those under or at risk of attack in Garissa and other areas of the north,” Ms Wanyeki said.

Report by Allan Olingo and Kevin J Kelley