NAIROBI, Kenya — Kenyan security agencies have foiled a major terror plot allegedly planned by the Somalia-based militant group Al-Shabaab, preventing what authorities say could have been a devastating attack on Nairobi during the holy month of Ramadan.
According to statements from the Counter Terrorism Policing Kenya (CTP-Kenya), months of covert intelligence gathering and surveillance targeting a terror network operating within the Dadaab refugee camps in northeastern Kenya culminated in a breakthrough this week.
Weapons Cache Seized
Security officers recovered an extensive cache of weapons and ammunition believed to have been destined for use in Nairobi, including:
- Pistols and assault rifles
- Approximately 600 rounds of ammunition
- Grenades and explosives
- Drugs and logistical supplies
“These items were intercepted before they could be deployed in planned attacks,” CTP-Kenya officials said.
Details of the Foiled Plot
Authorities say the suspected militants were preparing to carry out mass casualty attacks during Ramadan, a period when Nairobi’s civilian population frequently gathers for prayers and community activities.
In addition to bombings or shootings, investigators believe the plot included plans to:
- Kidnap foreign nationals living or working in the capital
- Hijack vehicles in order to facilitate violent operations
“These tactics are consistent with past extremist strategies aimed at sowing fear and destabilising security,” a senior security source told Y News.
Intelligence Operation Inside Dadaab
The operation was described as intelligence-led and meticulously planned, with officers monitoring suspects’ movements, communications, and logistics for several months before moving in to intercept.
Officials emphasised that the assault was foiled before any attack could be launched, underscoring the importance of proactive surveillance and inter-agency cooperation in national security.
Security agencies have urged Kenyans to remain alert and report suspicious activity, reminding residents that vigilance and community cooperation are central to preventing terror threats.
“Nairobi remains safe because of the brave young men and women in our security agencies who spend long hours tracking down dangerous terrorists and criminals,” the CTP-Kenya statement reaffirmed.
Kenya has faced repeated threats from Al-Shabaab for more than a decade, particularly since its military involvement in Somalia under operations such as Operation Linda Nchi.
The group has carried out deadly attacks in Kenya in the past, including assaults on the Westgate mall and other public spaces, and continues to be one of the country’s primary security concerns.
Kenya has faced repeated terror attacks over the past two decades, mainly linked to Al-Shabaab following its 2011 military incursion into Somalia.
Major attacks include the 2013 siege at Westgate Shopping Mall that killed 67 people. In 2015, gunmen massacred 148 students at Garissa University College.
The 2019 attack on the DusitD2 Complex left 21 dead.
Coastal and northeastern regions, including areas near the Dadaab Refugee Complex, have also seen repeated attacks.
Security agencies say intelligence-led operations have since helped disrupt numerous planned assaults, keeping major cities under tight surveillance.
