Three men have been arraigned at the Kahawa Law Courts on charges of conspiring to commit a terrorist act.
The court was informed that Isaq Cabdi Xasan, also known as Issack Mohammed, a Somali national, along with Kenyans Noor Yakub Ali and Yusuf Maalim, conspired with others—who were not present in court—to carry out an act of terrorism on or before February 18, 2025.
The alleged plot involved the kidnapping of a foreign national employed at the Sinohydro Corporation Limited Sewerage Construction site in Mandera town.
Additionally, the prosecution charged the three with being members of Al-Shabaab, a designated terrorist organization under Kenyan Gazette Notice No. 2326, dated April 7, 2015. According to the charges, they were found to be affiliated with the group on February 21, 2025.
The accused men appeared before Principal Magistrate Hon. Gideon Kiage and pleaded not guilty to the charges.
In addition to the terrorism-related offenses, Noor and Yusuf were charged with assisting Isaq, a Somali national, in fraudulently applying for a Kenyan identity card. As a result of their alleged actions, an acknowledgment of registration card (S/No. 257117796) was issued to Isaq on July 3, 2024, in Mandera town. Both Noor and Yusuf denied the charge.
Isaq, however, faced a separate charge for attempting to acquire a Kenyan identity card under false pretenses by falsely claiming Kenyan nationality. He was also found to be in the country illegally. Isaq pleaded guilty and was convicted.
The prosecution urged the court to impose the maximum penalty for the offenses to which Isaq pleaded guilty. His sentencing is scheduled for April 4, 2025.
Furthermore, Yusuf faced an additional charge of providing false information to a public servant.
The prosecution strongly opposed granting bail to the accused individuals. The court ordered the preparation of a pre-bail report and scheduled the bond ruling for April 4, 2025.
In the meantime, the accused have been remanded at Kamiti Maximum Security Prison.
