2 Kenyans Linked To Al Shabaab Charged With Planning To Kidnap Foreigner

Three men have been charged at the Kahawa Law Courts with conspiracy to commit a terrorist act, including the kidnapping of a foreign national in Mandera.

According to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) in a statement on Thursday, March 27, the accused—Isaq Cabdi Xasan, alias Issack Mohammed, a Somali national, alongside Kenyans Noor Yakub Ali and Yusuf Maalim—allegedly conspired with others not before the court to carry out a terror attack on or before February 18, 2025.

The prosecution stated that the plot targeted a foreign worker at the Sinohydro Corporation Limited Sewerage Construction site in Mandera town.

Additionally, the three were charged with being members of Al-Shabaab, an outlawed terrorist group under Kenyan law. According to the prosecution, they were found to be affiliated with the group on February 21, 2025, in violation of the Kenyan Gazette Notice No. 2326 of April 7, 2015.

Appearing before Principal Magistrate Gideon Kiage, the accused pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Fraudulent Identity Card Allegations

"Noor and Yusuf were also jointly charged with facilitating Isaq Cabdi Xasan, a Somali national, to fraudulently apply for a Kenyan identity card, which resulted in the issuance of an acknowledgment for registration card (S/No. 257117796) on 3rd July 2024, in Mandera town. Both Noor and Yusuf pleaded not guilty to this charge," stated the ODPP in part.

Separately, Isaq pleaded guilty to attempting to obtain a Kenyan identity card under false pretenses, falsely claiming Kenyan nationality. He was also found to be unlawfully present in the country.

Following his conviction, the prosecution requested the maximum sentence, with the court reserving sentencing for April 4, 2025.

Meanwhile, Yusuf Maalim was also charged with providing false information to a public servant.

Bail Opposition and Detention

"Prosecution opposed the release of the accused persons on bail. The court directed that a pre-bail report be prepared and set the bond ruling for 4th April 2025," ODPP added.

Until then, the three remain in custody at Kamiti Maximum Security Prison. The Al Shabaab has been in the headlines recently, amidst a resurgence in terror attacks on Kenyan soil and the abduction of key government officials.

Earlier this year, five chiefs were abducted by Al-Shabaab, and despite President William Ruto’s assurance of efforts to secure their release, they remain missing.

The chiefs were abducted while heading towards Elwak. They were hijacked between Bamba Owla and Ires Suki. A joint security team was deployed to pursue the abductors.