Dar 'honey pots' on high alert after Nairobi attack

           Security at shopping centres and big hotels in Dar es Salaam has been beefed up in the wake of Kenya’s Westgate mall terrorist attack in which 69 people were killed and 175 others were injured.

Business executives in Dar es Salaam told The Citizen on Sunday that they were ensuring security at the areas.

“We discussed how to intensify security,” said Sea Cliff Hotel operations director Nadine Atallah.

She said it was necessary to remain vigilant against terror attacks although no such threats had been reported.

“We have installed more surveillance cameras at places we did not have them before and added security officers at the hotel,” she said.

At Serena Hotel, visitors have to pass through screening machines before entering the hotel.

Management at Mlimani City Shopping Centre refused to give comments on what was being done to beef up security but said high security was a top priority.

Dar es Salaam Zonal Police chief Suleiman Kova said officers had intensified surveillance in all likely targets such as tourist hotels, government buildings and shopping malls.

He said police had been in constant consultations with owners of big hotels and shopping malls on how best security for customers could be guaranteed.

“What I remind them is that Nairobi and Dar es Salaam are close and have almost similar characteristics. We need not to be much worried but we have to take precautions.”

He insisted that the public had a key role in fighting terrorism by tipping off police about suspicious activities.