By Andrew Kariuki
A Turkish national has been charged before a Mombasa court with terrorism-related offences, including alleged membership in the Al-Shabaab terrorist group and illegal possession of a firearm.
Osman Erdinc Elsek was arraigned before Senior Resident Magistrate David Odhiambo, where he faced multiple charges under the Prevention of Terrorism Act, 2012, and the Penal Code.
According to the charge sheet, Elsek is accused of being a member of Harakat Al-Shabaab Mujahideen, a proscribed terrorist organisation, contrary to Section 24 of the Prevention of Terrorism Act.
The prosecution alleges that on an unknown date and time within Kenya, he was found to have associated himself with the group.
He was also charged with collecting information for use in the commission of a terrorist act, contrary to Section 29 of the Act.
Prosecutors allege that on January 14, 2026, at about 5.23pm at the Anti-Terrorism Police Unit (ATPU) offices in Mombasa, Elsek was found in possession of a Samsung Flip 7 mobile phone allegedly containing video recordings intended for use in a terrorist act.
In a related count, Elsek faces a charge of possessing an article connected with the commission of a terrorist act, contrary to Section 30 of the Prevention of Terrorism Act.
Separately, he was charged with unlawful possession of a firearm, contrary to Section 89(1) of the Penal Code.
The prosecution alleges that on January 12, 2026, at about 8pm in the Majengo Kanamai area of Kilifi South, Kilifi County, Elsek was found in possession of a Glock pistol in circumstances that raised suspicion that it was intended to be used in a manner prejudicial to public order.
His co-accused, Gokmen Sandikci, was charged with consorting with a person in possession of a firearm, contrary to Section 89(2) of the Penal Code.
The court heard that Sandikci was allegedly found in the company of Elsek while he was in possession of the pistol.
The two were also jointly charged with assault causing actual bodily harm, contrary to Section 251 of the Penal Code, following allegations that they assaulted Boniface Katana.
During the proceedings, Principal Prosecution Counsel Barbara Sombo urged the court to impose strict bond terms, noting that both accused persons are foreigners with no fixed abode in Kenya.
She asked the court to require them to provide sureties, deposit their passports with the court, and allow time for the prosecution to supply witness statements and documentary evidence.
In his ruling, the magistrate ordered Elsek to be released on a Sh1 million bond with a surety of a similar amount and the requirement of one Kenyan contact person.
Sandikci was granted a bond of ksh500,000, with an alternative cash bail of Ksh200,000.
The court directed that the matter proceed to pretrial on February 19, 2026.
