The headline and lead of this article has been recast to indicate the terror threat is a regional one.

Washington (CNN) President Barack Obama is not just heading to his father's homeland, but to a region that's a hotbed of terror.

Al-Shabaab militants in East Africa are now posing new worries for the President's trip to Kenya this week. CNN has learned that, in just the last week, the U.S. military has conducted nearly half a dozen secret air strikes in Somalia against al Qaeda's Africa affiliate because U.S. intelligence indicated an attack against Kenyan troops there was imminent, according to defense officials.

The Pentagon isn't saying much, but the strikes may be timed to the President's visit.

"This sends a very clear message to Al-Shabaab not to try to attempt anything against the President," says Seth Jones, a Rand Corporation analyst.

U.S. officials do not believe Al-Shabaab can get anywhere near the President, but there are others reasons to worry.

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