NAIROBI, Kenya — Kenya’s Counter Terrorism Policing Unit said Wednesday it foiled a planned terrorist attack in Nairobi and seized a cache of weapons and explosives allegedly linked to suspected al-Shabab operatives.
In a statement dated Feb. 18, the unit said the operation capped months of surveillance in which investigators tracked suspects’ movements, communications and logistics. Acting on intelligence, officers executed coordinated raids that led to the recovery of firearms, explosive devices and ammunition believed to have been staged for use in the capital.
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The seizures included:
- Assault rifles
- Pistols
- Explosive devices
- Approximately 600 rounds of ammunition
“Plans by the terrorist group al-Shabab to kill many Kenyans in Nairobi have once again been foiled,” the Counter Terrorism Policing Unit said.
Authorities said preliminary findings indicate the suspects were allegedly plotting to carry out the attack during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. Intelligence assessments also suggest the network was exploring additional criminal activity, including kidnapping foreign nationals and hijacking vehicles.
Investigators said elements of the network were linked to operations in the Dadaab refugee complex in eastern Kenya and that the arms and ammunition were ultimately intended for targets in Nairobi. Officials did not identify specific locations or disclose the number of suspects under investigation, citing the sensitivity of ongoing inquiries.
Security agencies said they have stepped up patrols, reinforced checkpoints and increased surveillance across key routes and crowded areas. Authorities emphasized that Nairobi remains secure and credited sustained counterterrorism operations and interagency intelligence-sharing with disrupting the plot.
Kenyan officials have repeatedly warned of attempts by al-Shabab, an al-Qaida-linked militant group based in neighboring Somalia, to strike inside the country. The group has carried out multiple attacks in Kenya over the past decade targeting civilians, security forces and infrastructure.
The Counter Terrorism Policing Unit urged the public to remain vigilant and to report suspicious activity through established hotlines as investigations continue.
Photo: Firearms, ammunition and explosives recovered during Wednesday’s operation. Counter Terrorism Policing Unit
By Ali Musa
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.
