DCI Arrests Woman Accused Of Funding Terrorists During Raid In Eastleigh
The operation was launched thanks to fresh intelligence that zeroed in on a hideout along Major Muriithi Street
Marvin Chege 
A dramatic Anti-Terrorism Police Unit (ATPU) raid in Eastleigh, Nairobi City County, ended with the arrest of Asho Kassim Hassan, a woman investigators believe has been actively soliciting and funneling support to a terrorist network.
According to a statement by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) released on Friday, November 21, the operation was launched thanks to fresh intelligence that zeroed in on a hideout along Major Muriithi Street, where detectives moved in and cornered the suspect without incident.
"Detectives from the Anti-Terrorism Police Unit (ATPU) have arrested Asho Kassim Hassan, a woman suspected of soliciting and providing support to a terrorist group," the statement read in part.
Security officers drawn from the office of the Directorate of Criminal Investigation (DCI) on Friday, December 2, 2022. /DCI
"Her arrest follows an intelligence-led operation that led detectives straight to her hideout along Major Muriithi Street in Eastleigh."
Officers seized a passport and a mobile phone during the bust — both now in the hands of forensic teams working to map out any wider sleeper cells or associates tied to her alleged activities.
Hassan is being held as investigators prepare charges ahead of her expected court appearance. DCI adds that the arrest marks another win in an intensified national crackdown against threats to Kenyan security, including terrorism.
"Through intensified intelligence operations, enhanced inter-agency coordination, and sustained community partnerships, the DCI remains steadfast in safeguarding the country and ensuring that every Kenyan can go about their daily lives without fear," added DCI.
Eastleigh often gets mentioned as a hotspot in discussions about counterterrorism, but the reality is rooted in history and policing patterns rather than daily insecurity.
The neighbourhood is one of Nairobi’s busiest commercial zones, drawing traders, migrants, and transit passengers from across the Horn of Africa. That constant movement of people and money has, over the years, created an environment where individuals trying to evade security agencies might attempt to blend in.
Eastleigh also hosts a large Somali population, including long-term residents, refugees, and new arrivals. While the community itself is overwhelmingly peaceful and focused on business, some suspects linked to terrorism have previously used the area as a temporary hideout, contributing to its reputation. Several high-profile arrests in past counterterrorism operations further amplified that perception.
However, security agencies repeatedly note that Eastleigh’s residents play a significant role in reporting suspicious activity and providing leads that help foil threats.
The neighbourhood is not inherently unsafe or driven by extremist activity; it is simply dense, diverse, and highly active — factors that can attract both legitimate commerce and, on rare occasions, individuals seeking anonymity.
Eastleigh’s image, therefore, reflects a mix of historical incidents and ongoing security vigilance, rather than a blanket label of criminality.
Earlier this week, a deadly attack on security officers in Garissa County claimed two lives and left five others injured. The attack happened on Wednesday, November 19, when their patrol vehicle hit an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) planted along the Liboi–Kulan road.
The officers were part of the Border Patrol Unit (BPU) team, which was on a routine mission in Kulan, near Daadab, when suspected Al-Shabaab militants targeted their Land Cruiser with the explosive. One officer died on the spot, while a second passed away from blast injuries.
The five survivors are undergoing treatment as security agencies step up operations and boost surveillance across the Kenya-Somalia border zone.
