The Westgate Mall./FILE
Kenyan security agencies have assured the public of safety as the nation marks the 12th anniversary of the Westgate Mall terror attack.
Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja said security operations are ongoing across the country, with particular focus on vulnerable areas near the Kenya-Somalia border.
“Apart from a few places near the Kenya-Somalia border, the other areas are stable, and we continue to address challenges as they emerge,” Kanja said.
The Westgate siege on 21 September 2013 shocked the country when four masked gunmen stormed the Nairobi shopping mall, killing at least 70 people and injuring more than 200. The attack reshaped Kenya’s security landscape and highlighted the scale of the terrorism threat.
This year’s commemoration is marked with low-key activities as security agencies intensified vigilance to counter any potential threats.
Officials said Kenya has made significant progress in the fight against terrorism and violent extremism, crediting intelligence sharing, community cooperation, and inter-agency collaboration.
According to the Global Terrorism Index 2025, deaths linked to terror attacks in Kenya dropped sharply over the past year.
Al-Shabaab, the most active terror group in the region, was responsible for 33 deaths in Kenya in 2024 — a 57 per cent decrease compared to the year before. Across the border, Somalia accounted for 91 per cent of the group’s 387 deaths recorded last year.
Regionally, sub-Saharan Africa outside the Sahel reported a 10 per cent fall in terror-related deaths, reaching their lowest levels since 2016.
Despite these gains, officials cautioned that terrorism remains a fluid threat, constantly evolving with advances in technology, shifting ideologies, and changing geopolitics.
Security measures have included the arrest and interrogation of dozens of suspects, deployment of additional personnel and equipment, and intelligence-led policing.
“The National Police Service is committed to the multi-agency security strategy and is working closely with other security agencies at national, regional and international levels, as well as the public,” Kanja said.
He urged Kenyans to report suspicious activity through toll-free numbers 112, 991, and 999 or the Fichua kwa DCI hotline 0800 722 203.
The warning came days after the United Kingdom advised its citizens in Kenya to remain vigilant amid reports of possible terror threats.
The anniversary also coincided with the International Day of Peace, a United Nations-sanctioned event that emphasises non-violence, dialogue, and cooperation in resolving conflict. This year also marked 25 years since the UN General Assembly adopted the Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace.
CHANGING THREAT LANDSCAPE
Kenya has grappled with terrorism for decades. In 1980, 20 people were killed in the Norfolk Hotel bombing, followed by the 1998 Nairobi US Embassy attack and the 2002 Kikambala bombing, both linked to al-Qaeda.
Al-Shabaab later emerged as a dominant threat, staging high-profile attacks such as the 2013 Westgate Mall siege, the 2014 Mpeketoni massacre, and the 2019 DusitD2 hotel attack.
In response, Kenya developed new strategies, combining military action with softer approaches. These include community policing, intelligence operations, border security, and counter-radicalisation programmes.
In 2016, the government launched the National Strategy to Counter Violent Extremism (NSCVE), focusing on prevention, rehabilitation, and reintegration of individuals drawn into extremism. The initiative also promotes patriotism, addresses local grievances exploited by recruiters, and strengthens early warning systems.
Officials say these efforts are key to reducing sympathy for extremist groups while building resilience within communities.
As Kenya reflects on the Westgate attack, the message from security agencies is clear: vigilance remains essential, but progress in the fight against terrorism is being made.
