Kenya has successfully foiled 40 terror attacks in a nationwide crackdown, highlighting the government’s intensified focus on national security as a cornerstone of President William Ruto’s vision for a first-world nation. According to new government data, most of the disrupted attacks mainly in the Coast and Northeastern regions were intercepted during recruitment, logistics, or movement stages, preventing mass-casualty incidents before they could occur.
Officials attribute these gains to unprecedented intelligence coordination among the National Intelligence Service (NIS), Anti-Terrorism Police Unit (ATPU), Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), and Kenya Defence Forces (KDF). Targeted operations have dismantled extremist cells in Lamu, Garissa, Wajir, and Mandera, while strengthened border surveillance has led to the interception of thousands of irregular crossings and profiling of over 1,200 persons of security interest along critical corridors like LAPPSET, Mkokoni, Mandera, Hulugho, and Kiunga.
These measures have contributed to a dramatic 55% reduction in IED attacks, with the Kenya-Somalia frontier recording its lowest militant activity in seven years. Complementing counter-terrorism efforts, investments in urban policing under the Safe City and Safe County programs have led to the deployment of 1,899 surveillance cameras and 281 Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras across 664 sites, including Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru, and Eldoret. These initiatives have resulted in a 13–18% drop in urban violent crimes such as carjackings, muggings, and organized gang activity.
Beyond security, officials say the improvements are driving economic transformation. By stabilizing historically insecure regions, the government is reducing business risks, protecting supply chains, strengthening investor confidence, and giving communities space to trade and rebuild.
As President Ruto enters his fourth year, security agencies are preparing for expanded capacity, enhanced welfare, and upgraded technological systems. Officials argue that these measures form a foundation for sustainable development, reinforcing the administration’s belief that national stability is essential for Kenya’s journey toward first-world status.
