Kenya, Somalia, and Uganda are set to receive major support from the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) to tackle the growing threat of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), which have become a preferred weapon for terror groups operating in East Africa.
The three-year project, funded by Global Affairs Canada, aims to help the three nations strengthen their legal frameworks, train security personnel, and improve their ability to prevent, detect, and respond to IED attacks.
The project will also create awareness on the dangers posed by IEDs and promote cooperation between the three countries in combating terrorism.
Speaking on Monday, UNOCT Under-Secretary-General Vladimir Voronkov said the use of IEDs across Africa has risen sharply, with devastating consequences.
“In 2024 alone, IED attacks killed or injured more than 1,400 people in Somalia. Al-Shabaab used IEDs to attack Kenyan border towns, while Da’esh affiliates in Somalia and Mozambique have also upgraded their bomb-making capabilities with new recruits and technology,” he said.
According to UN data, IED incidents in Africa have been increasing by 12% every year since 2020, with East Africa being one of the hardest-hit regions. In the first half of 2025, the region has already recorded dozens of attacks, leaving hundreds dead or wounded.
The project will be implemented by the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Centre (UNCCT) in collaboration with the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) and the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED).
Regional security analysts say the initiative comes at a critical time, as Kenya, Somalia, and Uganda continue to face deadly attacks targeting civilians, security forces, and infrastructure.
In its latest report, IGAD’s Centre of Excellence in Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism noted that between April and June 2025, armed assaults, roadside bombs, and suicide attacks caused significant casualties in Somalia and along the Kenya-Somalia border.
Security experts are urging governments to use the UN support to not only train forces but also invest in community-based intelligence programs that can help stop attacks before they happen.
“IEDs are cheap, deadly, and easy for terrorists to deploy. This initiative must go beyond training and also involve communities, since locals are the first to notice suspicious activity,” said Nairobi-based security analyst, Dr. Peter Mukua.
The project is expected to roll out immediately, with the first phase focusing on training bomb disposal units, intelligence sharing, and border security reinforcement.
