Police have dismissed as fake an alert circulating online suggesting there was a foiled attack at the All Saints Cathedral in Nairobi.
National Police Service spokesperson Dr Resila Onyango said the alert is fake.
“Let Kenyans ignore the thing circulating on social media. We are investigating the origin,” she said.
She said police patrols and operations have been enhanced to address any terror threat.
In one of the fake alerts circulating online, it claimed that “an al Shabaab terror cell was intercepted near All Saints Cathedral, preventing what could have mirrored the Dusit attack. Security agencies deserve recognition for their swift and precise action in neutralizing the threat.”
A visit to the church showed activities were normal. Security at the facility said there were no activities to suggest an operation yesterday or any other day.
Kenya has been a victim of terrorism on many occasions leading to deaths and loss of business.
Last year in December, Prime Cabinet Secretary (PCS) Musalia Mudavadi said security agents successfully thwarted 47 planned terrorist attacks across the country in the past two years.
Mudavadi highlighted Kenya’s progress in combating terrorism and violent extremism, citing a significant reduction in the country’s Global Terrorism Index (GTI) score, which moved from high in 2023 to medium in 2024.
“During that period, several terrorists were eliminated, and the government secured 11 successful convictions,” Mudavadi said.
He attributed this success to enhanced collaboration at both local and international levels, noting the role of partnerships in training and equipment support.
The Interior Ministry revealed last said the government allocated Sh20 billion to modernise the country’s security apparatus.
The funds have been directed towards acquiring specialised vehicles such as Armored Personnel Carriers (APCs), drones, and advanced equipment to strengthen the fight against terrorism and reduce fatalities among security agents.
Despite these measures, Mudavadi noted that al-Shabaab remains the primary terrorism threat in Kenya, particularly in the North Eastern and Coastal regions.
The group often employs tactics such as Improvised Explosive Device (IED) attacks and ambushes targeting security personnel and critical infrastructure, including communication masts.
The latest attack occurred on December 9 in Lafey, Mandera County, where suspected al-Shabaab militants killed a police officer attached to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).
The assailants stole a police vehicle after the attack.
