NAIROBI — Kenya’s National Intelligence Service (NIS) and the Special Operations Group (SOG) elite unit have successfully disrupted a significant terrorist attack planned for the capital, Nairobi, during the upcoming holy month of Ramadan.
Authorities announced on Thursday that the intelligence-led operation dismantled a militant network believed to have direct ties to the Somalia-based extremist group Al-Shabaab.
The Tuesday Raid
The suspects were apprehended at a covert Nairobi hideout late Tuesday as they were allegedly finalizing preparations for a coordinated strike. Security officials stated that the raid was the culmination of extensive intelligence gathering—spanning weeks or possibly months—that included intercepted communications and physical surveillance activities.
During the operation, authorities confiscated a substantial cache of weapons and logistics supplies. The seized arsenal included five AK-47 rifles, hundreds of rounds of ammunition, six hand grenades, a Makarov pistol, medical supplies, and food provisions. Security officials noted that the sheer volume of the cache indicated the group’s preparedness to execute a prolonged campaign of violence.
Foiling Kidnappings and Escalated Violence
“This cache is chilling in its scope. Preventing its deployment was crucial to protecting lives,” stated a senior security official who requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the ongoing investigation.
Security sources indicated that intelligence data also revealed intentions for targeted kidnappings and additional coordinated attacks throughout Ramadan. Analysts observe that the synchronization between Kenya’s intelligence collection and tactical response units has enhanced considerably in recent years, enabling the pre-emptive disruption of potential regional threats.
Authorities are currently conducting forensic examinations of seized electronic devices and documents to trace the network’s financial sources, recruitment methods, and possible international connections. The successful operation represents Nairobi’s continued, heightened efforts to counter terrorism and manage the security spillover from instability in the broader Horn of Africa region.
