Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Musalia Mudavadi has urged Kenyans to make responsible use of the newly inaugurated counter-terrorism hotline to report suspected radicalisation, violent extremism and terrorist activities.
Mudavadi said the hotline would provide a confidential platform for citizens to share information with security agencies, strengthening community-based approaches to preventing and countering terrorism.
Speaking during the inauguration, Mudavadi described the initiative as a strategic milestone in Kenya’s partnership with the United Kingdom and the United States in the fight against terrorism and violent extremism.
The hotline 0800 900 900 officially becomes operational on October 15, 2026.
He said the hotline would enhance early detection of threats, remove barriers to the flow of sensitive information and build trust between communities and specialised security agencies, including the Anti-Terrorism Police Unit (ATPU).
“The hotline provides an essential platform for enhanced cooperation between communities and security agencies in making Kenya a country in which all people can live together safely and peacefully,” Mudavadi said.
He urged members of the public to report suspicious extremist or terrorist activities, including those observed online, as Kenya’s expanding digital infrastructure faces growing cyber-terrorism threats.
Mudavadi, who recently addressed the Fifth Nairobi Caucus on protecting critical infrastructure and public spaces, warned that crowded venues could face heightened security risks as the country approaches the General Election.
He called on communities to remain vigilant during public gatherings and report individuals suspected of promoting, planning or carrying out terrorist activities.
The Prime Cabinet Secretary also raised concern over the growth of organised criminal gangs, including groups involved in political violence, warning that some could potentially evolve from petty crime into violent extremism.
He said security agencies and communities should closely monitor such groups because of the risk of radicalisation and their potential to undermine state institutions and public safety.
Mudavadi questioned whether gangs that terrorise communities and threaten democracy should continue to be viewed solely as criminal groups or whether their activities could, in certain circumstances, warrant consideration under terrorism-related frameworks.
He, however, clarified that the counter-terrorism hotline was intended specifically for terrorism-related reporting and should not be used for general police complaints or routine criminal incidents.
“Security, safety and peace of our nation remain non-negotiable priorities,” he said, emphasising that protecting the country was a shared responsibility between citizens and the government.
He encouraged Kenyans to remain vigilant at workplaces, public transport facilities, churches, mosques, learning institutions and business premises, echoing the security message: “Usalama unaanza na mimi” — security begins with me.
Kenya launches counter-terrorism hotline and online reporting portal
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