How police foiled terror plot targeting Nairobi

Security agencies have thwarted what they believe could have been a major terrorist attack in the capital city of Nairobi.

The disrupted attack targeted social facilities, and was to coincide with the start of the holy month of Ramadan. The successive raid on Tuesday night led to discovery of a cache of weapons and ammunition. Also found at the hideout where medical supplies and provisions.

The operation conducted by National Intelligence Service (NIS) and Special Operations Group officers followed weeks of surveillance.

Though details about the number of firearms seized were not very clear due to the sensitive nature of the covert operation, The Standard was told that among the weapons found were five AK-47 rifles, assorted automatic firearms, 20 magazines loaded with 600 rounds, six hand grenades, anti-personnel explosives, and a loaded Makarov pistol with 24 rounds of ammunition. 

According to a source, the medical supplies were a precautionary measure against injuries. They included three elastic bandages for binding wounds; Vitamin K3 injections to aid blood clotting; Powermole diclofenac for pain and inflammation, Tekomol paracetamol for fever relief, Nexstep 40mg to reduce stomach acid from stress, and four disposable syringes for administering treatments.

Two cartons of dates – a high-energy food traditionally eaten to break the Ramadan fast – were also found at the hideout within the capital city.

"Yes, it's true a possible massive terrorist attack targeting Ramadan activities was foiled," said a senior police officer who declined to divulge further. 

A number of suspects are in custody as security agents pursue more linked to the wider network with roots in neighbouring Somalia. Intercepted messages showed plans for assaults and kidnappings during Ramadan.

The operation came a day after Jubaland forces dismantled an Improvised Explosive Devises (IEDs) base by Al Shabaab in Lagta Hola Wajeer, Badhaadhe district, near the Somalia -Kenya border.

Local Jubaland officials believe the targeted site were used to plan attacks and move explosives and fighters across southern Somalia and Kenya.

The two countries share a 682-kilometre border drawn by colonial map-makers and dividing Somali ethnic communities.

Somalia's descent into chaos began in 1991 with the fall of dictator Siad Barre. Civil war, famine and warlords followed, driving hundreds of thousands of refugees into Kenya.

Al-Shabaab, an al-Qaeda affiliate, emerged in 2006 and took control of swathes of southern Somalia, funding itself through extortion and ransoms. 

Kenya sent troops into Somalia in 2011 under Operation Linda Nchi, later joining the AU's 40,000-strong mission which has retaken most territory held by the group.

The intervention prompted a wave of retaliation, including the 2013 Westgate shopping centre siege in Nairobi that killed 67 people, the 2015 Garissa University assault where militants executed 148 students, the 2019 DusitD2 hotel complex attack that left 21 dead, and the 2020 Riverside Drive bombing. 

In Kenya, the insurgents are a major source of insecurity in Lamu, Garissa, Wajir and Mandera counties where they kidnap, use IEDs to kill and cause destruction.

Last week, President William vowed to crush Al Shabaab militia, and appealed on Mandera residents to co-operate with security agencies.

Dr Ruto was speaking on February 12 at Mandera Stadium during the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) business start-up capital disbursement forum. 

According to the Head of State, the crackdown on Al Shabaab will be intensified as his administration prepares to open the Kenya–Somalia border post closed 15 years ago.

“I am asking you and the leaders of Mandera, let us all be people who will fight against Al-Shabaab. These Al-Shabaab are useless people. Help us so that we can confront these thugs and terrorists. This is so that Mandera can proceed with development and business, and so that Mandera grows and helps contribute to the economy of our nation, Kenya,” said the President.