Past Terror Attacks That Have Taken Place on Kenyan Soil

Terror attacks have occurred in countries all over the world and Kenya has not been left out in the attacks. The country has also had its fair share of attacks aimed at causing terror.

Here are some of the most terrifying attacks that have taken place in the country;

1980 Norfolk Hotel bombing

In 1980, 31^st December, the Jewish-owned Norfolk hotel was attacked by the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO). The bomb killed 20 people of several nationalities, wounded 87 more, and destroyed much of the west wing. It was believed to be an act of revenge by pro-Palestinian militants for Kenya’s supporting role in Israel’s Operation Entebbe.

1998 United States embassy bombing

On 7 August 1998, between 10:30 a.m. and 10:40 a.m. local time, suicide bombers in trucks laden with explosives parked outside the embassy in Nairobi and detonated. An estimated 213 people died and 4,000 were wounded and although the attacks were directed at American facilities, the vast majority of casualties were local citizens.

2002 Kikambala Hotel bombing, Mombasa

On 28 November 2002, there was an attack on the Kikambala Hotel when it was receiving Israeli tourists. The hotel blast occurred just after some 60 visitors had checked into the hotel, all of them from Israel.

13 were killed and 80 injured. 10 Kenyans died, 9 of whom were employed by the hotel, most of them were said to be traditional dancers who came to welcome the 140 guests arriving from Israel by state-chartered jet and 3 Israelis.

2013 Westgate Mall shooting

On Saturday, 21 September 2013, four masked gunmen attacked the Westgate shopping mall, an upscale mall in Nairobi, Kenya. The attack resulted in 71 total deaths, including 62 civilians, 5 Kenyan soldiers, and 4 attackers. Approximately 200 people were wounded in the mass shooting.

2014 Mpeketoni Attacks

Between 15^th June and 17^th June 2014, more than 60 people were killed in attacks in and near Mpeketoni, Lamu County. The Somalia-based Al-Shabaab militant group claimed responsibility.

2015 Garissa University Attack

In April 2015, gunmen stormed the Garissa University College, killing 147 students and wounding several others. The attackers claimed to be from the Al-Shabaab militant group and indicated that they were retaliating over non-Muslims occupying Muslim territory. The militants took several students hostage, freeing Muslims but withholding Christians.

2019 Dusit D2 Attack

Gunfire and two explosions were heard at the hotel at around 3:45 pm local time on 15^th January 2019. The attack has left 14 people dead, an unspecified number of wounded victims and 700 rescued.