Director of CTB Saidi Kiprotich/HANDOUTThe Anti-Terrorism Police Unit (ATPU) has been rebranded and will now be known as the Counter-Terrorism Bureau (CTB) under the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).
CTB Director Saidi Kiprotich said the changes were part of ongoing reforms within the service.
He said the bureau’s operations remain focused on targeting terror threats in the country and the region at large.
“We remain the same professional and focused on our mandate. All we urge is for continued support from all,” he said.
He spoke during the official launch of Kenya’s Counter-Terrorism Hotline and Online Reporting Portal, a new reporting platform designed to strengthen public participation in national security efforts and enhance collaboration between citizens and law enforcement agencies.
Developed through a partnership between the governments of Kenya, the United Kingdom and the United States, the platform provides secure and confidential channels for reporting suspicious activities, terrorism-related concerns and other security threats.
The hotline, 0800 900 900, officially becomes operational on October 15, 2026.
CTB, formerly ATPU, is a unit within the Directorate of Criminal Investigations mandated to mitigate and investigate terrorism-related cases in the country.
It was formed in 2003 as a unit based at Police Headquarters to investigate terrorism matters. This followed several terror attacks in the country, including the US Embassy bombing in 1998 and the Kikambala terror attack in 2002.
The escalation of such events shifted the line of thought that terrorism is a European problem or phenomenon.
Part of its roles include preventing, disrupting and interdicting terrorist activities within the country, investigating all terrorism-related cases and leading other agencies at scenes of terrorist-related incidents.
It also creates profiles for suspected terrorists and keeps an updated databank, shares intelligence with other stakeholders, reviews and monitors the security of vital installations and soft targets, and sensitises the public on terrorism awareness on a need basis.
The unit has been leading the fight against terrorism and made many strides in the same.
During the event in Nairobi, DCI boss Mohamed Amin said they were focused on their mandate of ensuring the country is safe.
