A total of 83 people were killed in terror-related attacks last year, 2019 compared to 56 killed in 2018.
A report by the Centre for Human Rights and Policy Studies (CHRIPS), a leading international African research centre based in Kenya, shows that security officials were the most targeted group and also recorded the highest number of fatalities in 2019.
A total of 42 security officials were killed across five counties, with Wajir County recording the highest number of fatalities with 26, majority of whom were security officials.
The terror attacks increased from 23 the previous year to 34 last year and were most witnessed in Mandera (9), Wajir (9), Garissa (8), Lamu (5), Nairobi (2), and Mombasa (1).
A total of 37 security officers and another 37 members of public were injured in the attacks. Twelve other people were kidnapped, including three security officers
The security officers also arrested 135 people, the highest in Nairobi and Garissa counties.
Attacks intensified between June and December with no less than two attacks being recorded each month, despite the fact that state agencies had upgraded surveillance infrastructure and intensified counter-terrorism measures.
During the period, 11 terrorists were killed by Kenyan security officials in Mandera, Lamu and Garissa counties.
While Nairobi County only had two attacks, the county also recorded the second-highest number of fatalities as a result of the January 15 attack on the Dusit D2 Hotel and business complex where at least 20 civilians and 1 General Service Unit (GSU) officer were killed.
The second-highest number of fatalities in a single incident was recorded on October 12 in an IED attack in Garissa County and December 6 at a shooting in a police station in Wajir County.
Civilians were targeted in 10 of the total attacks in 2019, especially in public transportation. On October 23, the militants sprayed bullets at a matatu carrying eight passengers.
The militants have also targeted communication masts.
