NAIROBI, Kenya March 27 – Three men have been charged at the Kahawa Law Courts with conspiracy to commit a terrorist act, including the planned kidnapping of a foreign national in Mandera.
The suspects—Somali national Isaq Cabdi Xasan, alias Issack Mohammed, and Kenyans Noor Yakub Ali and Yusuf Maalim—allegedly conspired with others not before the court on or before February 18, 2025, to carry out the attack.
They also faced charges of being members of the outlawed terrorist group Al-Shabaab, contrary to Kenyan law. The prosecution told the court that on February 21, 2025, the three were found to be affiliated with the group, which was declared illegal in Kenya under Gazette Notice No. 2326 of April 7, 2015.
Appearing before Principal Magistrate Gideon Kiage, the accused pleaded not guilty to the conspiracy and terrorism-related charges.
Additionally, Noor and Yusuf were charged with facilitating Isaq’s fraudulent application for a Kenyan identity card, which led to the issuance of an acknowledgment for registration card in Mandera on July 3, 2024. Both pleaded not guilty.
Isaq faced a separate charge of attempting to obtain a Kenyan ID under false pretenses and being unlawfully present in Kenya. He pleaded guilty and was convicted, with the prosecution seeking the maximum sentence. The court set April 4, 2025, for sentencing.
Yusuf was also charged with providing false information to a public servant.
The prosecution opposed bail for the accused, and the court directed that a pre-bail report be prepared. A ruling on their bond application is expected on April 4, 2025.
The three were remanded at Kamiti Maximum Security Prison as the case, prosecuted by Senior Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Duncan Ondimu and Prosecutor James Machira, continues.
Source: capitalfm
