by WASHINGTON MITO
Wednesday March 20, 2024
President William Ruto greeting police bosses at a training camp on February 23, 2023. PHOTO ADMINISTRATION POLICE SERVICE
A new study, The 2024 Terrorism Global Index, has revealed an increase in terror attacks within Kenya in 2023, a trend that had not been witnessed since 2019.
The report published by the Institute for Economics & Peace attributes the surge in attacks to several factors including changes President William Ruto made to the leadership of the country's top security organs.
In its report, the institute explained that Al-Shabaab took advantage of the change in guard to stage attacks.
Notably, changes that were effected in the security sector in 2023 included the appointment of National Intelligence Service (NIS) Director General Noordin Haji.
National Intelligence Service (NIS) Director General Noordin Haji taking oath of office on June 14, 2023. PCS
Major changes were also made to the country's regional security teams with several deputy county commissioners being reshuffled in June 2023.
"Al-Shabaab was responsible for 70 deaths in Kenya in 2023, the most since 2019. Government-led counterterrorism operations in Somalia have led to a surge of Al-Shabaab militants crossing into Kenya, compounded by a lack of law enforcement personnel along the border.
"Changes to Kenya's security leadership have exacerbated the situation, leading to a security gap that militants are exploiting to conduct attacks," read the report in part.
On the other hand, it was highlighted that most of the terror attacks were being witnessed in areas near the Kenya-Somalia border.
The placement of Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) on various roads was also noted to be one of the strategies that the terrorists employed during the attacks.
"In Kenya, terrorism deaths attributed to Al-Shabaab increased from 58 to 70 deaths in 2023. Most Al-Shabaab deaths in Kenya
in 2023 occurred in the Lamu district close to the Somali border which recorded 26 deaths in 2023, ten more than the year prior. This was followed by Garissa and Mandera counties, which collectively recorded 37 deaths.
"Both of the deadliest Al-Shabaab attacks in Kenya in 2023 involved roadside bombings, one targeting soldiers in Lamu and the other targeting police in Garissa. Ten people were killed in each attack. Al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for both attacks," read the report in part.
Notably, the government has been undertaking various initiatives to thwart terror attacks in the country.
In the last year, Directorate Criminal Investigations (DCI) detectives have arrested suspects accused of planning to conduct terror attacks and persons crossing over to join the militia group in Somalia.
Meanwhile, the United States of America has also blacklisted two Kenyan businessmen and a bus company for facilitating the attacks.