Under the Spotlight: Kenya’s Fight Against Terrorism

Kenya has faced a longstanding threat from the Somali terrorist group, Al-Shabaab. This challenge endures almost three years since its troops entered Somalia and was underlined 12 months ago, when Al-Shabaab terrorists attacked the Westgate shopping mall, killing 67 people. At home, Kenya’s security forces have mounted a robust security operation which has been dogged by credible allegations of human rights abuses. Somali refugees and Kenyan Somalis have borne the brunt of this offensive, facing arrests, detention, and deportation since a crackdown was launched earlier this year. Join us for a discussion about these issues, their implications for the U.S.-Kenya security partnership, and for a broader look at the prospects of peace between Kenya and Somalia.