REPORT: Al-Shabaab losing ground in Kenya
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Staff Reporter Garowe Online
- Posted On 21-03-2024, 11:28AM
NAIROBI, Kenya - Somalia-based Al-Shabaab militants have significantly lost ground in Kenya following strategic partnerships between stakeholders, leading to the crumbling and tumbling of the group, which has been wreaking havoc in the Horn of Africa.
The al-Shabaab group has been carrying organized attacks in Kenya and Somalia, leading to the death of thousands of people, including security personnel and innocent civilians. The group has been trying to infiltrate neighboring countries, particularly in Kenya.
A report by the Global Index, however, notes that Kenya's counter-terrorism efforts against al Shabaab are paying off and have earned global recognition. Terrorism deaths attributed to the Somalia-based group fell from 800 in 2022 to 499 in 2023, a decline of almost 38 percent.
Of these deaths, the report notes, 86 percent occurred inside Somalia and the remaining 14 percent in Kenya. Al Shabaab was responsible for 70 deaths in Kenya in 2023, the most since 2019, when they attacked the Dusit D2 complex in Nairobi.
The Global Terrorism Index 2024 shows the impact of terrorism in Kenya decreased from high in 2022 to medium in 2023. The militants are also facing onslaught from Somalia, which has activated operations in central and southern regions.
Kenya has invested in the modernization of weapons, and timely payment of stipends for security teams in frontlines besides investing in the collection of intelligence from locals in the Northeastern region and the coastal town of Lamu, which witnessed surging incidents of insecurity.
On Wednesday, Kenya's security minister Kithure Kindiki unveiled modern weapons that will be used by the multi-agency security teams fighting Al-Shabaab in the Northern Frontier Districts and bandits in the volatile North Rift.
"The Government remains focused on complete suppression and neutralization of terrorism, banditry, livestock rustling, and other organized criminal activities as the sure way of turning around our National Security and putting Kenya on a firm path to equitable development and shared prosperity," he said.
"Equipment and kitting of frontline officers currently deployed in Forward Operating Bases (FOBs) in North Eastern Region, the Boni Enclave, Upper Eastern Region, and North Rift Valley remains a key deliverable priority for the Kenya Kwanza Administration."
The Government has in the last six(6) months invested Ksh.7.6 Billion ($59M) and will spend another Ksh.29.4 Billion ($223M) in the next three(3) years under the Police Equipment Modernisation (PEM) program to acquire sophisticated protected and mobility equipment, he said.
The equipment includes Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) and Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicles (MRAPs), Armoured Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), Drones, Gunship Helicopters, Mine Sweepers, and Personal Protection Equipment to support the sacrificial and patriotic work of our frontline officers.
Some Kenya Defence Forces troops are stationed in Somalia where they are participating in a peacekeeping mission mission under the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS). Upon full exit, most of these soldiers will retreat to the border where they will engage in defense of the country from external aggression.
GAROWE ONLINE
