By Andrew Kariuki
A Somali national has been sentenced to 10 years in prison after a court found him guilty of multiple terrorism-related offences linked to the outlawed group Al-Shabaab.
Abdikarim Hassanow Hassan, also known as Ali, was convicted by the Kahawa Law Courts on Monday following a prosecution case supported by four witnesses.
The court found him guilty of being a member of Al-Shabaab and sentenced him to 10 years’ imprisonment. He received an additional 10-year sentence for organising a meeting in support of the terrorist group.
He was further sentenced to 10 years each for radicalisation, recruiting members into a terrorist group, facilitating recruitment, and financing travel for terrorism purposes.
However, the trial magistrate, Boaz Ombewa, ordered that all sentences run concurrently, meaning he will serve a total of 10 years in prison.
The court heard that on or before April 2, 2024, in Kehancha Township, Migori County, Hassanow was an active member of Al-Shabaab, an organisation outlawed in Kenya under Gazette Notice No. 12585 of 2010.
Prosecution evidence showed that he organised meetings in support of the group and played a central role in recruiting and radicalising individuals, including a minor.
According to the court, the accused lured the minor with promises of financial gain, military training, and religious incentives, before facilitating an attempted journey from Migori to Somalia to join the terrorist group. He is said to have provided logistical guidance, travel routes, and financial support.
In its ruling, the court found that the prosecution had established its case beyond reasonable doubt.
“I make a finding that the prosecution established a troubling narrative of facilitation, ideological, and preparation and did prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the accused was the author, financier, recruiter, or radicalizer as charged in all counts,” ruled Ombewa.
The court further noted that the testimony presented was credible and demonstrated a clear pattern of indoctrination, planning, and facilitation of terrorism-related activities.
