The United States Embassy in Nairobi has announced a Joint Readiness Exercise (JRE) with Kenya to be conducted on Saturday, October 30.
In a statement by the embassy, America indicated that the exercise would help build counter-terrorism capabilities.
In that regard, areas surrounding the US Embassy in Gigiri and Rosslyn Academy are expected to have simulated explosions, smoke, blank gunfire, fire, and traffic disruptions between 10am to 3pm.
Representatives from the Department of State’s Bureau of Diplomatic Security and the Kenyan government will be in attendance.
The drills are a common place in testing a country's preparedness in handling terror related threats and challenges.
In Kenya, the exercise brings together officers from multi-agency sector including the Anti-Terrorism Police Unit (ATPU), the General Service Unit (GSU), and the Bomb Squad among others.
The drills can be conducted randomly in public places including institutions of higher learning, religious places, and open public spaces that attract huge number of people.
The drill by the US Embassy comes just days after America updated a travel advisory to its citizens traveling to Kenya and those currently living in the country.
The Embassy cautioned its citizens against traveling to the Kenya - Somalia border and some coastal areas prone to terrorism. They also warned them against traveling to areas within Turkana due to the high crime rate witnessed in the county.
Eastleigh and Kibera slums were also red zoned with the Embassy warning that citizens were likely to be mugged or kidnapped in the areas.
"These areas are characterised by armed carjacking, mugging, home invasion, and kidnapping. Be especially careful when traveling after dark anywhere in Kenya due to crime," reads the statement in part.
"Local police are willing but often lack the capability to respond effectively to serious criminal incidents and terrorist attacks. Emergency medical and fire service is also limited."
The US cited cases of terror attacks targeting both locals and foreigners as among the reasons for the travel advisory.
"Terrorist attacks have occurred with little or no warning, targeting Kenyan and foreign government facilities, tourist locations, transportation hubs, hotels, resorts, markets/shopping malls, and places of worship."
