Detectives from Kenya's Anti-Terrorism Police Unit have arrested a 30-year-old Somali national in Eastleigh on suspicion of supporting a terrorist group. The operation recovered key items for forensic analysis as authorities probe potential wider networks. This arrest underscores ongoing efforts to combat terrorism in the country.
In a targeted intelligence operation, detectives from the Anti-Terrorism Police Unit (ATPU), operating under the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), apprehended a 30-year-old Somali woman at her hideout along Major Muriithi Street in Eastleigh, a bustling neighborhood in Nairobi. The suspect faces allegations of soliciting and providing support to a terrorist group, though specific details of the group remain undisclosed in initial reports.
Upon her arrest, officers seized a passport and a mobile phone, both of which have been handed over to forensic analysts for detailed examination. These items are expected to help uncover any broader connections she may have within terror networks. The woman is currently held in custody as processing continues ahead of her arraignment in court.
This incident is part of a recent uptick in terror-related arrests across Kenya. Just days earlier, on November 16, 2025, a businessman in Marsabit town was detained for allegedly financing terrorism via cryptocurrency networks, with the ATPU citing substantial evidence against him. Similarly, on November 14, 2025, a lawyer in Mombasa was arrested on charges involving facilitation, radicalization, recruitment, and funding of terror activities, purportedly tied to ISIS affiliates. He appeared before the Kahawa Law Courts, where on November 19, 2025, the court granted an extension of his detention to allow further investigations.
The DCI has urged the public to report suspicious activities through designated contacts and toll-free lines. Emphasizing its dedication to national security, the agency highlighted intensified intelligence operations, improved inter-agency collaboration, and stronger community ties as key pillars in preventing terror threats.