In recent months, Kenya has experienced a troubling escalation of violence by Al-Qaeda-linked Islamists, resulting in the deaths of two dozen people. This comes as a worrying development for a country that has not seen a high-profile jihadist attack since 2019.

Analysts believe that these attacks, which have focused on minor targets, indicate that Al-Shabaab jihadists are shifting their attention to Kenya as they face losses in their native Somalia. Al-Shabaab, estimated to have between 7,000 and 12,000 fighters, has been facing a multi-pronged counterterrorism offensive by the Somali National Army and U.S.-trained "lightning commandos."

Over the past month alone, the group has carried out six separate attacks, resulting in the deaths of 24 people, including 15 security officers. In one particularly gruesome assault, about 30 militants descended upon two sparsely-populated villages in Kenya's coastal Lamu county, beheading several civilians.

Experts suggest that these attacks are intended to demonstrate that Al-Shabaab still possesses significant firepower and should not be underestimated. It is also seen as a warning to Kenya, which has pledged to participate in the Somali government's offensive against the group.

The changes in Kenya's security leadership following the election of President William Ruto have possibly emboldened the militants, taking advantage of relative border disorganization. While Al-Shabaab was driven out of Mogadishu in 2011, they have maintained a stronghold in rural, central, and southern Somalia.

They have faced losses in recent months due to Somalia's President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud's "all-out war" against the group. However, the situation remains fragile, according to African Union Commission chair Moussa Faki Mahamat.

Kenya, taking no chances, has decided to delay the reopening of its long-closed border with Somalia. The country has been a frequent target of Al-Shabaab's attacks, with major incidents at the Westgate shopping center in 2013, Garissa University in 2015, and the Dusit hotel complex in 2019.

The recent wave of attacks serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing threat and the need for vigilance. As Al-Shabaab tries to demonstrate its continued relevance and resilience, Kenya remains on high alert.

The government is determined to conclusively deal with the recent spate of terror attacks and cross-border crime before reopening the border. The situation serves as a warning for the country to remain vigilant in the face of this evolving threat.