Kenya has been ranked position 18 globally ahead of Uganda and Tanzania following a recent report by the Institute for Economics & Peace on Global Terrorism Index 2024.
The report revealed that the impact of terrorism in Kenya decreased from high in 2022 to medium in 2023.
However, the reclassification to medium makes it placed in the same level as; the United States, Egypt and Russia in terms of the terror threat facing the countries in question.
In Kenya terrorism deaths attributed to Al-Shabaab increased from 58 to 70 deaths in 2023.
“Most Al-Shabaab deaths in Kenya in 2023 occurred in the Lamu district close to the Somali border which recorded 26 deaths in 2023, ten more than 2022,” read part of the report.
“This was followed by Garissa and Mandera counties, which collectively recorded 37 deaths.”
Terrorism Index Report 2023
In 2023, terrorism deaths attributed to Al-Shabaab fell from 800 in 2022 to 499 in 2023, a decline of almost 38 per cent.
“Of the 499 deaths attributed to Al-Shabaab in 2023, 86 per cent occurred in Somalia and the remaining 14 per cent occurred in Kenya. Al-Shabaab was responsible for 70 deaths in the country in 2023, the most since 2019,” the report further read.
The report further revealed that government-led counterterrorism operations in Somali led to a surge of Al-Shabaab militants crossing into Kenya, compounded by a lack of law enforcement personnel along the border.
“Changes to the country’s security leadership exacerbated the situation, leading to a security gap that militants are exploiting to conduct attacks,” the report said.
Al-Shabaab attacks in Kenya in 2023 involved roadside bombings, one targeting soldiers in Lamu and the other targeting police in Garissa.
Ten people were killed in each attack and Al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for both attacks.
Also Read: Kenyan Bus Company Listed Among 16 Entities Financing Al- Shabaab
Ranking in Africa
Kenya was position nine in the Sub- Saharan Africa having recorded a score of 5.616 out of ten while Uganda and Tanzania were at position 13 and 15 respectively.
Tanzania was the most improved country in Africa in 2023, with the country recording zero incidents for the second consecutive year.
Additionally, in Africa and the world, Burkina Faso recorded the highest number of deaths from terrorism for the second consecutive year, with 1,907 deaths recorded in 2023.
It now accounts for nearly a quarter of all deaths from terrorism globally.
“The increasing intensity of terrorism in Burkina Faso is shown in the increased lethality of attacks, with over seven deaths per attack in 2023, compared to under four deaths per attack in the previous year,” further read the report.
Also Read: Two Convicts Slapped with 19-Year Jail Term for Attempted Bombing
US Sanctions Kenyan Company Supporting Terrorism
The U.S. Department of the Treasury on March 11, 2024, sanctioned 16 entities among them a Kenyan Bus Company for their role in fundraising and money laundering for the terrorist group Al-Shabaab.
The said individuals and entities designated were involved in the raising and laundering of millions of dollars through several businesses in the interest of al-Shabaab.
US reaffirmed its dedication to collaborating with regional allies to dismantle networks and entities involved in financing terrorism.
