OPINION: Using Al-Shabaab for Political Mileage is a Grave Threat to National Security - Musalia Mudavadi

Since the 1980 Norfolk Hotel bombing that killed 20 and injured over 100, Kenya has suffered more than twelve major terror attacks. 

These include, to name a few, the 1998 U.S. Embassy bombing in Nairobi that claimed 250 lives and injured over 5,000, the 2002 Paradise Hotel attack that left 13 dead and 80 injured, and the 2013 Westgate Mall siege in Nairobi that killed 67 and injured 175. 

In November 2014, Al Shabaab militants attacked a Nairobi-bound bus in Mandera, killing 28 people. The following month, 36 quarry workers were massacred in the same county. On 2nd April 2015, Al Shabaab attacked Garissa University College, leaving 148 dead and 79 injured. Later, on 15th January 2019, the DusitD2 Hotel in Nairobi was invaded by Al Shabaab, resulting in 21 deaths and at least 28 injuries.

Indeed, Kenya has also experienced major terror incidents, alongside sporadic attacks along the Kenya–Somalia border. These have primarily involved the use of IEDs, ambushes on security personnel, and destruction of critical infrastructure such as telecommunication towers. 

The threat of terrorism is a grave matter that must never be trivialized or politicized. It is a solemn and patriotic duty of every Kenyan to stand in unity and extend unwavering support to our security agencies as they confront and degrade Al Shabaab, thus safeguarding not only the lives of our people but also the sovereignty and future of our nation.

It is therefore manifestly an act of betrayal when a notable leader, in pursuit of selfish political ambition, chooses a foreign platform to malign his country. 

To recklessly insinuate that the government of Kenya has links with Al-Shabaab, a group that poses the primary terrorism threat in Kenya, not only undermines our nation’s image but also threatens its security. Such utterances border on abetting terrorism. 

Any such unguarded and unwarranted remarks, particularly by personalities who bear higher responsibility in society, risk giving undue publicity to the Al Shabaab terror group, thus endangering not only the security of our people but also Kenya’s economic security and international reputation.

Such carelessness has the potential to prompt travel advisories from our partners. This will negatively impact key sectors like tourism and foreign investments.

As a citizen, and even more so as a former high-ranking Kenyan leader, one owes an explanation to the Kenyan people, rather than persist in portraying oneself as an investigative security officer of a foreign nation.

Kenya continues to play a leading role in regional counterterrorism efforts.

Currently, the Kenya Defense Forces (KDF) are on the frontlines in the war against Al Shabaab under the African Union-led mission in Somalia. Our internal security agencies remain vigilant and responsive, actively countering Al Shabaab threats and disrupting their plans and recruitment networks. 

For example, our security agencies, in collaboration with the County Government of Mandera and the community elders, successfully secured the release of our five Chiefs on April 6th, 2025, after being held captive by Al Shabaab in neighbouring Somalia for over two months.

Notably, the wisdom of determining when not to use firepower but rather negotiations to secure the lives of captured Kenyans deserves commendation from people of goodwill, not brazen criticism.

It is a global practice for states to routinely negotiate with terror groups through back-channels and proxies in such delicate situations, where preserving the lives of their citizens is extremely important.

Certainly, negotiating to secure the lives of our people does not constitute abetting or collaborating with terrorists. Indeed, the volatile situation of Gaza in Middle East has necessitated interventions of a similar nature to save lives.  

Kenya has achieved milestones in combating terrorism, including, in particular, countering terror financing at national, regional, and global levels. Kenya is a member of the Eastern and Southern Africa Anti-Money Laundering Group (ESAAMLG), and has established the Financial Reporting Center (FRC) as its Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU). This is in line with the UN Conventions and global frameworks that require every country to have a Central Agency for the receipt, analysis, and dissemination of financial intelligence

The significant achievements of the Financial Reporting Center (FRC), among others, include increased detection and disruption of financing of terrorist organizations.

Additionally, in March 2022, the United Nations Office of Counter-terrorism opened a new Program Office in Nairobi to support countries in East Africa and the Horn of Africa to counter terrorism and prevent violent extremism. 

These painstaking efforts have contributed to tremendous security assurances for our people and foreign nationals in Kenya. It will be preposterous for such efforts to be watered down by reckless statements alleging that Kenya does business with Al Shabaab.

The Writer, Musalia Mudavadi is the Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs