Three individuals have been charged with conspiracy to commit a terrorist act, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution (ODPP) has announced.
According to a statement shared on X, the accused Isaq Xasan, a Somali national also known as Issack Mohammed, along with Kenyans Noor Ali and Yusuf Maalim were charged with plotting to carry out a terrorist act on or before February 18, 2025. The prosecution alleges that their plan involved the kidnapping of a foreign national employed at the Sinohydro Corporation Limited Sewerage Construction site in Mandera town.
Additionally, the suspects face charges of being members of the outlawed terrorist group Al-Shabaab, after being linked to the organization on February 21, 2025. They all pleaded not guilty to these charges.
The three were arraigned at the Kahawa Law Courts before Principal Magistrate Gideon Kiage on Wednesday. During the hearing, Noor and Yusuf were also jointly charged with aiding Xasan in fraudulently applying for a Kenyan identity card on July 3, 2024, in Mandera town. They both denied the charges.
Separately, Xasan was charged with attempting to fraudulently obtain a Kenyan ID. He pleaded guilty to this charge and was convicted. The prosecution has requested the maximum sentence for the two counts for which he was convicted. The court scheduled sentencing for April 4, 2025.
Yusuf Maalim was additionally charged with providing false information to a public servant. The court denied his release on bail and directed that a pre-bail report be prepared before ruling on his bond application, which is set for April 4, 2025.
The prosecution strongly opposed the release of all three accused on bail, citing national security concerns. Consequently, the court ordered that they be remanded at the Kamiti Maximum Security Prison as they await further proceedings.
The case highlights ongoing security concerns in Kenya’s northeastern region, particularly in Mandera, which has faced threats from terrorist groups operating across the border. Authorities continue to strengthen counterterrorism measures to curb such activities.
