Kenya foils major Al-Shabaab terror plot in Nairobi ahead of Ramadan
The agency said the suspects had planned to execute the attack during the holy month of Ramadhan and were also exploring the possibility of kidnapping foreigners and hijacking vehicles.
Mogadishu (Somali Report) - Counter Terrorism Policing Kenya has announced that its security agencies have foiled a major terror attack allegedly planned by Al-Shabaab militants in Nairobi.
In a statement on February 18, the agency said the suspects had planned to execute the attack during the holy month of Ramadhan and were also exploring the possibility of kidnapping foreigners and hijacking vehicles.
“Plans by the terrorist group Al-Shabaab to kill many Kenyans in Nairobi have once again been foiled by the intelligence agency,” the statement read.
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The foiled plot came after months of surveillance and covert operations targeting a suspected terror network operating within the Dadaab refugee camps. The operations culminated in the recovery of a cache of arms and ammunition.
The Counter Terrorism Agency reported that the seized items included 600 bullets, pistols, grenades, explosives, and drugs, which were allegedly destined for targets in Nairobi. The agency assured the public that the capital remains safe thanks to the dedication of security officers.
“Nairobi remains safe because of the brave young men and women in our security agencies who spend long hours tracking down dangerous terrorists and criminals,” the statement added.
In December 2025, Kenyan police also foiled an overnight attack by Al-Shabaab militants on a compound in Elwak housing Chinese road workers. The attack began at around 1:15 a.m. when an estimated 40 militants attempted to breach the compound, located about one kilometre northwest of Elwak Police Station.
Officers stationed at the facility immediately engaged the attackers, resulting in a fierce 90-minute gunfight. The militants had entered Elwak Town via border routes from the Buraache area, arriving in four vehicles before positioning themselves opposite the compound’s main gate.
About the Author
Osman Hassan is a Senior Editor at the Somali Report based in Nairobi with over 15 years of experience in journalism. He has worked with local and international media outlets in Somalia and is an award-winning journalist. His reporting focuses on politics, security, and regional affairs in the Horn of Africa.