At least 55 police officers have been killed in the line of duty in 2024, with 830 others injured, according to Acting Interior Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi. Over the past six years, Kenya has lost a total of 383 officers.
Speaking at Harambee House in Nairobi on Thursday, Mudavadi expressed deep gratitude for the sacrifices made by the nation’s security personnel, describing them as “the often unsung heroes” who safeguard the country’s peace and freedoms.
“We owe a debt of gratitude for their unwavering commitment, often at great personal risk, in securing the freedoms and peace we cherish. You are the guardians of our nation’s security, and your sacrifices do not go unnoticed,” Mudavadi said, emphasizing the critical role of law enforcement in maintaining national safety.
Mudavadi highlighted the immense risks security officers face while protecting the country, underscoring their steadfast dedication to their duty.
Turning to Kenya’s counterterrorism efforts, Mudavadi reported significant progress in the country’s Global Terrorism Index. The index’s impact score for Kenya has decreased from “high” in 2023 to “medium” in 2024, indicating a positive shift in the fight against terrorism.
“From January 2022 to November 2024, Kenya’s security forces successfully thwarted 47 terrorist attacks across the country,” Mudavadi announced. He attributed this achievement to the growing partnerships and collaborations with international agencies, which have provided valuable training and equipment support.
The planned attacks, which targeted citizens, critical national infrastructure, security establishments, and foreign interests, were primarily linked to the al Shabaab and Daesh terror groups. The efforts of Kenya’s counter-terrorism operations have successfully prevented these incidents through intelligence-led, pre-emptive measures.
In a report from January 9, 2024, counter-terrorism agencies revealed that police had stopped 30 potential terrorism incidents that year alone. These attacks were mostly linked to al Shabaab and Daesh affiliates in the region, including groups like IS-Somalia, ADF (Islamic State Central Africa Province), and IS-Mozambique.
Mudavadi also acknowledged Kenya’s success in securing airport safety, revealing that the country had earned a notable 91.77% rating in the Universal Security Audit Program. This places Kenya second in Africa for achieving high levels of safety and security at its airports, including Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).
Collaborative efforts by various agencies have led to significant seizures at airports, including 2,540 kilograms of elephant ivory, 1,547 kilograms of bushmeat, and 5.92 kilograms of rhino horns. Mudavadi also noted that five suspects were arrested and prosecuted in the mining sector for illegal activities, which have led to substantial losses in government revenue due to tax evasion, corruption, and fraud.
