Kenya, UK and US Launch Counter-Terrorism Hotline to Boost Community Intelligence

Three nations - Kenya, the United Kingdom and the United States - have launched a new counter-terrorism hotline and online reporting portal in Nairobi, Kenya on Friday. The initiative aims to gather community intelligence to detect and prevent terrorist threats. The toll-free hotline, 0800 900 900, will officially go live on October 15, 2026, along with an anonymous online reporting platform and case-management system.

This development is part of a security partnership between the three countries that has been ongoing for over two decades. The hotline will provide an anonymous channel for Kenyans to report suspected terrorist activity, radicalisation, recruitment, terrorism financing, suspicious movements and other relevant information that could assist security agencies.

The launch comes at a time when Kenya faces a significant terrorism threat, particularly along its border with Somalia. In 2025, there were 72 terror attacks recorded in Kenya, down from 85 the previous year, but fatalities rose from 107 in 2024 to 50 in 2025. The UK identifies the Kenya-Somalia border and parts of northern and coastal Kenya as areas of significant terrorism risk.

Officials from the three countries emphasized the importance of community involvement in countering terrorism, urging Kenyans to report any suspected activities. Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi highlighted the initiative as a critical addition to Kenya's counter-terrorism architecture, stating that it elevates the community to serve as partners in the fight against terrorism.

The platform is seen as a timely innovation as the country approaches the 2027 General Election, during which large public gatherings could create security vulnerabilities.