As Kenya enters the festive season, the government has announced comprehensive security measures to protect citizens and international visitors during the holiday period.
While the overall security situation across the country remains calm and stable, authorities are taking proactive steps to address potential increases in security incidents, traffic violations, and opportunistic criminal activities that typically occur during this busy time of year.
The National Multi-Agency Command Centre has been activated to coordinate surveillance, intelligence sharing, and rapid response throughout the festive season.
This central command brings together officers from the Kenya Defence Forces, National Police Service, National Intelligence Service, Kenya Prisons Service, Kenya Wildlife Service, Kenya Forestry Service, National Youth Service, and National Government Administration.
Similar coordination centres have been established at regional and county levels to enhance operational command and control, complemented by festive season operation orders from the National Police Service.
Security personnel from multiple agencies have been deployed across the country to provide enhanced coverage at critical locations.
All officers previously on leave have returned to duty and are now stationed at airports, border crossings, hotels, shopping malls, public beaches, tourist sites, Central Business Districts, critical infrastructure installations, places of worship, and entertainment venues.
These deployments include General Duty Police and specialized units, with the Ministry of Defence providing logistical and air support while securing the country from external threats.
The National Transport and Safety Authority, working closely with the Traffic Police Department, has launched a nationwide traffic operation to facilitate smooth traffic flow and enhance road safety on major highways and urban roads.
This operation includes the deployment of Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission officers to monitor enforcement and deter corruption, along with multi-agency coordination for unified traffic law enforcement.
Mobile courts will be deployed where necessary, and both physical and electronic measures will be used for deterrence and enforcement, particularly in high-risk corridors.
Regional and County Security Committees have reinforced counter-terrorism preparedness through active implementation of Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism County Action Plans.
Security teams have intensified surveillance and operations with particular focus on safeguarding critical infrastructure and large public gatherings throughout the festive period.
A nationwide crackdown led by the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse has been launched to combat the trade and abuse of illicit brews and drugs.
In collaboration with National Government Administration Officers and police, this sustained operation targets the production, sale, and consumption of dangerous substances that pose major threats to public safety and security.
Security teams have also escalated targeted enforcement measures across Nairobi, Coast, Western, Nyanza, Central, and Eastern regions to address organized criminal gangs and social crimes including female genital mutilation, defilement, early pregnancies, forced marriages, domestic violence, and religious extremism.
Motorists planning to travel during the festive season are advised to plan their journeys in advance and adjust travel schedules while en route.
Those traveling from Nairobi to Western and Nyanza regions are encouraged to use the Nairobi-Suswa-Narok route as an alternative to the Mai Mahiu escarpment, or consider the Nairobi-Nyeri-Nyahururu-Nakuru route through the Central region for smoother and safer travel.
The government emphasizes that public safety is a shared responsibility and urges all citizens to remain vigilant and cooperate fully with law enforcement officers throughout the festive season.
Members of the public are encouraged to report any crime or suspicious activity to the nearest police station or through the toll-free hotlines 999, 911, or 112.
Shopping mall owners, entertainment venue operators, and event organizers should liaise closely with area security teams to coordinate crowd management and strengthen existing private security arrangements.
The government remains fully committed to ensuring a peaceful, secure, and orderly festive season for all.
