Save for a handful IED attacks targeting security agents mainly in operation areas in North Eastern and parts of Coast, 2023 saw much-reduced terror incidents, but not for lack of trying by the terror groups.
A report by counter-terrorism agencies seen by the Star shows that police foiled up to 30 terrorism incidents that would have turned deadly in the year.
The foiling of the possible attacks was done through pre-emptive intelligence-led counter-terrorism operations.
The thwarted attacks were planed by al Shabaab and Daesh terrors cells and their offshoots.
Daesh activities within the country have mainly been contributed by the affiliates operations within the region like the Islamic State in Somalia (IS – Somalia), Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) alias Islamic State Central Africa Province (ISCAP) operating in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Islamic State in Mozambique (IS – Mozambique).
Their activities traversed from local operations to regional logistical activities involving movement of funds, recruits/operatives and media propaganda, especially using the various online platforms.
The report says the attacks were planned against citizens, critical national infrastructures, security establishment and foreign interests.
Some 59 suspects were arrested during the various operations and arraigned in court, and are facing various terrorism-related charges.
Some of the listed foils include the discovery of an IED planted along the Kiunga – Ishakani route on January 2, 2023. The security personnel were patrolling the Ishakani area.
On January 17, 2023, the report says, a joint clearance patrols along Welmerer-Elein-Ruqa route, discovered items belonging to militants among them five AK 47 rifles, a knife and water bottles. A week later on January 25, 2023, a patrol team discovered an Improvised explosive emplaced along Sarira-Kolbio route.
A month later on February 25, another joint security team recovered foodstuffs stored in 20-litre jerry cans and black powder contained in a five-litre jerry can.
Another intelligence-led operation on May 22, 2023, saw security team recover assorted weapons, sim cards, memory cards, notebooks and assorted foodstuffs.
On the same day, another raid team captured one militant and recovered assorted weapons in Garissa.
Yet another team on July 19, 2023, recovered buried jerry cans containing rice, sugar, water, cooking oil and gun oil, IEDs making materials comprising of motorcycle battery, detonators and dry cells in Garissa, possibly smuggled from Somalia. Five days later, security operations at Kilia Dam recovered two points, the team recovered 18 and 58 20-litre jerry cans respectively full of water.
The report also lists discovery of another cache of IEDs on September 11, 2023.
Three days later on September 14, 2023, three RPGs, three AK47, assorted ammo and foodstuffs were recovered.
On October 16, 2023, KDF patrolling officers discovered two IEDs emplaced on the road between Baure and Milimani. Assorted foodstuffs and a collapsible water tank containing 25,000 litres of fresh water also got discovered on the same day.
Another security team recovered assorted foodstuffs comprising of sugar, maize flour and fresh water. On October 29, assorted medical supplies, IED making materials, assorted personal effects, training manuals and a list of suspected recruits got discovered in an operation.
Further, the report lists the conviction of terrorist Victor Odede Bwire and his sentencing to 20 years in jail in 2023, for conspiracy to commit a terrorist act.
He had been arrested on January 24, 2019, for his role in providing the al Shabaab with information on KICC.
Moreover, the report details how the security agents thwarted cross border attacks planned by al Shabaab into the country. It said it achieved the fete by “dismantling al Shabaab facilitation networks, recruitment and radicalisation networks trying to sprout in the country.”
“The intelligence led security operations in North Eastern, Nairobi and Coast region, resulted in the arrest of several terror operatives who were planning to carry out attacks. The refined investigative capabilities of Kenyan security agencies coupled with information from the arrested suspects, unearthed other networks and individuals leading to subsequent arrests,” it said.
It said 2023 saw “increased al Shabaab activities in sourcing for military grade equipment, logistical items and technologies to advance terrorism attacks within the region.”
Several people were arrested in Nairobi who were responsible for assisting the group buy improvised explosive devises making materials and drones that the group previously used to gather information on security agencies, particularly in areas along the border with Somalia as well as the Kenya Defense Forces under ATMIS in Somalia.
The report also says media agents of the terror group got arrested in Nairobi, accused of distributing materials that furthered the group’s narrative online.
Mohamed Abdikadir Kulow aka Jeelani was arrested in Eastleigh, Nairobi over his links to al Shabaab media responsible for spreading propaganda.
Jelani was established to download, edit and distribute radical content from al Shabaab media outlets.
He was also accused of conducting online madrassa lessons and operates a makeshift studio associated with al Shabaab in his residence. Mohammed admitted to being an al Shabaab adherent who strongly supports the group’s ideology, the report says.