Declassified files on the John F. Kennedy assassination have uncovered the truth that the CIA operated a covert base in Nairobi, Kenya, during the 1960s.
The files, released by U.S. President Donald Trump, confirm that Nairobi was among six African cities where the CIA had established operations, highlighting Kenya’s strategic significance in global intelligence.
During the Cold War, intelligence agencies sought to expand their presence across newly independent African nations. Nairobi’s role as a regional hub made it a prime location for CIA operations, likely aimed at countering Soviet influence and monitoring political developments. Other African cities identified in the files include Johannesburg, Pretoria, Lagos, Rabat, and Salisbury (now Harare).
The extent of the CIA’s activities in Nairobi remains unclear, but historical events suggest an ongoing presence. Following the 1998 U.S. embassy bombings in Nairobi and Dar es Salaam, the agency intensified counter-terrorism operations in East Africa. In 2004, a covert paramilitary unit, the Rapid Response Team (RRT), was created within the Kenyan police, trained and funded by the CIA. Operating from Ruiru, this unit has since played a key role in counter-terrorism efforts in the region.
Recent diplomatic engagements indicate the CIA’s continued collaboration with Kenyan security agencies. In 2024, former CIA Director William J. Burns visited Nairobi twice, reinforcing Kenya’s role in regional intelligence operations. These meetings, coupled with past revelations, suggest that Nairobi remains an important center for U.S. intelligence activities in Africa
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