Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen on Thursday opened an upgraded counterterrorism intelligence centre in Nairobi, The Star reported. The Joint Counterterrorism Analysis Centre (JCTAC) sits at the National Security Fusion Centre. It brings security agencies together to share intelligence, analyse threats and coordinate responses.
Murkomen said the upgrade would strengthen Kenya's ability to detect and disrupt terrorist networks before they carry out attacks. The centre was set up in 2015. According to Capital FM, it gives agencies a platform to analyse actionable intelligence. It also lets them step in early, before suspected terrorist activity turns into an attack.
The CS credited several measures for a fall in terror incidents. He cited better coordination between agencies, regional and international partnerships and more spending on technology. These measures "have markedly reduced terror incidents in our country," he said. He also warned against complacency. The threat remains real, he said, and calls for sustained vigilance and continuous innovation.
National Intelligence Service Director General Noordin Haji attended the opening. So did Gilbert Masengeli, the Deputy Inspector General in charge of the Administration Police Service, along with other senior officials.
Capital FM reported that the upgrade comes as Kenya keeps strengthening its defences against extremist groups, particularly al-Shabaab. The outlet said Kenya's strategy has shifted from agencies working alone to joint, intelligence-led operations. These involve the intelligence services, the police, the military and other government bodies.
Under the Prevention of Terrorism Act, the National Counter Terrorism Centre coordinates national efforts against terrorism. Its work covers intelligence analysis, capacity building and countering radicalisation. According to Capital FM, the government also works with communities to tackle the factors that make people vulnerable to extremist recruitment. Officials admit that terror groups keep changing their tactics.