Violent Extremist Attacks and Arrests Surge in Kenya, Northeastern Counties Hit Hardest
Nairobi – November 2025
Kenya has witnessed a significant rise in violent extremist attacks in 2024, with northeastern counties bearing the brunt of the violence, according to the latest report by the Countering Violent Extremism (CVE) Kenya Observatory.
The report, titled Trends of Violent Extremist Attacks and Arrests in Kenya, indicates that 85 incidents occurred across the country last year, resulting in 107 deaths and 124 injuries. Mandera, Garissa, Lamu, and Wajir were the counties most affected, with militants increasingly targeting civilians, government vehicles, and public infrastructure.
The attacks have shown growing sophistication, with insurgents using improvised explosive devices (IEDs), including devices hidden in donkey carts in Mandera. Coordinated assaults on security convoys and government facilities have also become more frequent. In one incident during the last quarter of 2024, Mandera’s Lafey Sub-County experienced five attacks in a single day, highlighting the intensifying security threat.
Security forces have responded with increased counter-terrorism operations. According to CVE Kenya data, 161 individuals were arrested last year in connection with extremist activity, nearly triple the number recorded in 2023. Arrests included suspected militants, civilians, and in some cases, individuals affiliated with security services.
Experts warn that the surge in attacks is closely linked to the border with Somalia, where al-Shabaab and allied extremist groups operate. Factors such as underdevelopment, poverty, and political marginalization continue to make the region vulnerable to extremist recruitment.
Despite the deployment of 10,000 African Union troops in Somalia, attacks have continued, with militants seizing towns and villages in the country. Analysts stress the need for both security measures and long-term development initiatives to address the root causes of extremism.
The rise in attacks underscores the urgent need for coordinated national and regional strategies that combine security interventions with socio-economic development, the report notes.
As Kenya grapples with this growing threat, authorities face the dual challenge of protecting civilians while addressing the underlying conditions that allow extremist networks to thrive.