Kenya launches counter-terrorism hotline and reporting portal

Kenya has launched a new counter-terrorism hotline and an online reporting portal to enhance national security through public participation. Developed by the Kenya Counter Terrorism Bureau (CTB) with support from the United States and the United Kingdom, the initiative provides secure, confidential, and anonymous channels for citizens to report suspicious activities, radicalization, and violent extremism.

The system includes a toll-free hotline (0800 900 900) and a case management system designed to help security agencies, such as the Anti-Terrorism Police Unit (ATPU), identify and disrupt potential threats from groups like al-Shabaab. Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi emphasized that the platform is intended strictly for terrorism-related information and serves as a bridge to build trust between communities and security agencies.

The hotline is scheduled to become fully operational on October 15, 2026. Officials noted that the platform aims to break the silence that extremist groups rely on by allowing the public to report concerns from various locations, including religious sites and public transport, without fear of exposure.