Though many obstacles still stand in the way of decimating terrorism in Kenya and along its border with Somalia, there is good reason to think the newest round of successes against both ISIS and Harakat Al-Shabaab Mujahideen signal forward traction against the vice despite threat multiplication.
The threat of terror multiplied in 2016 after ISIS established active cells in Somalia, Kenya, and Tanzania. The Islamic States also reported through a statement on social media, its first attack against AMISOM troops in Mogadishu Somalia.
The Anti-Terrorism Police Unit (ATPU), a joint taskforce made up of intelligence officers and highly trained police officers trailled a Kenyan Islamic States cell in Kenya and Uganda. The over 5-member Daesh cell was at advanced stages of executing the first attack in Kenya. Intelligence reports show the cell was to conduct an anthrax attack in Kenya and Uganda (possibly targeting the livestock herding communities in the borderlines).
Al-Shabaab cells in the country have not been spared either. More than 46 operatives have either been neutralized or captured and arraigned in court. Military troops have increased surveillance and operations targeting Al-Shabaab cells/small units that carry out IED attacks, besides crossborder incursions and help other cells cross the border into the country.
These success signal a robust strategy in place by the Kenya security apparatus. Cordination amongst security departments besides improved collection and exploitation of intelligence.
