Breaking news from Nairobi, Kenya, where a Canadian national has been arrested after stabbing and wounding three worshippers at a mosque in Westlands. The incident occurred during the 5 a.m. prayers on Saturday, February 28, 2026, at a mosque off Waiyaki Way. A suspect armed with a sword attacked the worshippers, prompting other congregants to subdue him and hand him over to police, who arrived promptly. The motive behind the attack remains unclear as the suspect, who holds a Canadian passport and is originally from Somalia, is currently under interrogation by the Anti-Terror Police Unit.
What Happened at the Westlands Mosque?
| Event | Stabbing of three worshippers at a mosque |
| Date | February 28, 2026 |
| Time | 5 a.m. |
| Location | Westlands, Nairobi, off Waiyaki Way |
| Key People/Organizations involved | Canadian national (suspect), Nairobi head of the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (Benson Kasyoki), Anti-Terror Police Unit |
| Status/Current Situation | Suspect arrested and under interrogation |
| Impact/Casualties | Three worshippers injured with multiple wounds |
| Official Response | Police contained the incident within minutes, suspect handed over to Anti-Terror Police Unit for questioning |
| Suspect Details | Holds a Canadian passport, originally from Somalia |
| Motive | Not immediately known |
A stabbing incident occurred at a mosque in Westlands, Nairobi, during early morning prayers on Saturday, February 28, 2026. A Canadian national, originally from Somalia, was arrested after he attacked three worshippers with a machete, leaving them injured. The attack took place at a mosque off Waiyaki Way at approximately 5 a.m.. According to police, the suspect was subdued by other worshippers before being handed over to law enforcement.
Benson Kasyoki, Nairobi head of the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, confirmed the incident and stated that the suspect was taken into custody and is currently being interrogated. The victims were rushed to hospital with multiple wounds, though no fatalities were reported. The motive for the attack remains unclear, and the suspect is believed to hold a Canadian passport. The incident has raised concerns amid heightened security operations in Nairobi during the Ramadan period, with authorities warning of potential attacks in urban areas.
Eyewitness Accounts and Victim Details
Eyewitness accounts describe the Nairobi mosque attack as a sudden and violent incident. The attack occurred during the 5 a.m. prayers on Saturday, February 28, 2026, at a mosque off Waiyaki Way in Westlands. Witnesses said the assailant, a Canadian national, was armed with a sword when he attacked the worshippers. The motive for the attack was not immediately known, according to police.
The victims, who were rushed to hospital with multiple wounds, were injured during the early morning prayers. Three worshippers were wounded in the attack, which was quickly contained by other worshippers who subdued the suspect and handed him over to police. The suspect, who holds a Canadian passport and is originally from Somalia, is currently under interrogation by the Anti-Terror Police Unit.
According to Benson Kasyoki, Nairobi head of the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, “He pulled a machete and injured three worshipers. He has been arrested and is now being interrogated.” The incident has raised concerns about safety during the Ramadan period, with authorities warning that some elements plan attacks in urban areas.
Investigation and Arrest of the Canadian National
Police moved swiftly after the Westlands mosque attack, subduing the assailant and placing him in custody within minutes. Witnesses say worshippers overpowered the man, who was armed with a sword, and handed him to arriving officers. He was briefly roughed up by the crowd before being transferred to the Anti‑Terror Police Unit for formal questioning.
Nairobi’s head of the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, Benson Kasyoki, confirmed the suspect’s identity, stating, “He pulled a machete and injured three worshipers. He has been arrested and is now being interrogated.” Police reports indicate the individual holds a Canadian passport and is originally from Somalia.
The suspect remains under interrogation as investigators seek a motive for the stabbing that wounded three worshippers during the 5 a.m. prayers on February 28, 2026. Authorities have not disclosed further details, but the rapid containment of the incident underscores heightened security operations in Nairobi during the Ramadan period.
Community Reaction and Official Response to the Incident
The community in Westlands, Nairobi, is reeling in shock after a Canadian national attacked and injured three worshippers at a mosque during early morning prayers on Saturday, February 28, 2026. The incident occurred at a mosque off Waiyaki Way, and eyewitnesses reported that other worshippers subdued the suspect and handed him over to police.
The Nairobi head of the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, Benson Kasyoki, confirmed the incident and stated that it was contained within minutes. “He pulled a machete and injured three worshipers. He has been arrested and is now being interrogated,” Kasyoki said. The victims were rushed to hospital with multiple wounds.
The attack comes amid heightened police operations during the Ramadan period, with authorities warning that some elements plan attacks in urban areas. Police said they have thwarted dozens of attempted attacks in Nairobi and other parts of the country. The motive for the attack was not immediately known, and the suspect is currently under interrogation by the Anti-Terror Police Unit.
Latest Updates and Developments in the Ongoing Investigation
A Canadian national has been arrested in connection with a stabbing incident at a mosque in Westlands, Nairobi, where three worshippers were injured during early morning prayers on Saturday, February 28, 2026. The suspect, armed with a machete, attacked the worshippers at a mosque off Waiyaki Way during the 5 a.m. prayers. According to Nairobi head of the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, Benson Kasyoki, the suspect was subdued by other worshippers before police arrived and took him into custody. The suspect is reported to hold a Canadian passport and is originally from Somalia, though the motive for the attack remains unclear at this time.
The suspect is currently being interrogated by the Anti-Terror Police Unit, as authorities investigate the incident. Police have confirmed the attack was contained within minutes, and the three victims were rushed to the hospital with multiple wounds. The incident has raised concerns amid heightened security operations in Nairobi during the Ramadan period. Authorities have warned that some elements plan attacks in urban areas and have already thwarted dozens of attempted attacks in the region, according to police statements.
Source: [The Star, Kenya](https://www.the-star.co.ke/news/2026-02-28-3-worshippers-stabbed-at-mosque-in-westlands)
