US Embassy Acting Deputy Chief of Mission Carla Benini, UK Deputy High
Commissioner Ed Barnett and Kenyan officials during the launch of a new
counter-terrorism hotline and online reporting portal in Nairobi on September
18, 2026/HANDOUTKenya has launched a new counter-terrorism hotline and online reporting portal to enable members of the public to securely report suspicious activities and terrorism-related concerns.
The platform, developed by the Counter Terrorism Bureau with support from the United Kingdom and United States governments, will be operational from October 15.
Members of the public will be able to report terrorism-related information through the toll-free number 0800 900 900, as well as through an anonymous online reporting portal.
The system is intended to strengthen information-sharing between communities and security agencies and support the early identification and disruption of potential terrorist threats.
It includes a case management system through which reports will be received, assessed and prioritised, alongside infrastructure designed to secure information submitted by members of the public.
The launch was announced on Friday, with the partners saying the platform would give Kenyans a more direct role in efforts to protect their communities from terrorism and violent extremism.
US Embassy Acting Deputy Chief of Mission Carla Benini said the platform would provide members of the public with a direct channel to share information that could help prevent attacks.
“Terrorist groups like al-Shabaab thrive on silence. This platform breaks it by giving every Kenyan a direct channel to help stop an attack,” Benini said.
She said the United States would continue working with Kenya to strengthen the role of communities in countering terrorism.
UK Deputy High Commissioner Ed Barnett said the UK was supporting Kenya alongside its US partners in establishing the reporting capability.
“The UK is proud to support Kenya, alongside our US partners, in launching this Kenyan-owned capability that gives the public a clear route to share terrorism-related concerns,” Barnett said.
He said Kenya remained an important security partner in East Africa and that the initiative demonstrated how international partnerships could deliver practical capabilities to strengthen public safety and security.
Under the arrangement, the system will be fully owned, managed and operated by the Counter Terrorism Bureau as a national security capability of the Kenyan government.
The partners said national ownership was intended to support the long-term sustainability of the platform and ensure it remains aligned with Kenya's strategic security priorities.
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, US Embassy Acting Deputy Chief of Mission Carla Benini and UK Deputy High Commissioner Ed Barnett during the launch of a new counter-terrorism hotline and online reporting portal in Nairobi on September 18, 2026/ HANDOUTThe reporting system is expected to improve coordination between security agencies by allowing information received from the public to be assessed and prioritised through a central case management system.
It will also support intelligence-led investigations and early intervention efforts, according to the launch statement.
The initiative comes as Kenya continues to strengthen measures to counter terrorism and violent extremism, including threats from al-Shabaab.
The National Counter Terrorism Centre coordinates national counter-terrorism measures and works with communities and other stakeholders on preventing and countering violent extremism.
The new platform is intended to provide an additional mechanism through which members of the public can share information with security agencies.
Members of the public have been encouraged to report suspicious activities and information that may assist security agencies in protecting lives and communities.
The United States Africa Command will support public awareness and advertising initiatives for the platform across Kenya.
It will also administer reward payments for credible information that advances counter-terrorism objectives or strengthens force protection measures, according to the statement.
The introduction of the hotline, online portal and case management system is expected to strengthen the link between information from communities and security agencies involved in counter-terrorism operations.
