Kenyan court orders 10-day detention of Somali woman over incitement allegation

Tuesday April 28, 2026

Nairobi (AX) — A Kenyan court has authorized investigators to hold a Somali female political aspirant from Garissa County for 10 days as they pursue allegations of hate speech and incitement to violence, authorities said Monday.

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations said Bare Sahara Ahmed is being detained at Kilimani Police Station after the Chief Magistrate’s Court at Kahawa Law Courts in Nairobi approved the request.

Investigators said the extra time is needed to examine digital material, including call data records and financial transactions, as they seek to establish the scope of the alleged offences.

Ahmed was arrested on Sunday after an online video allegedly showed her calling for retaliation in the wake of a string of violent incidents. Police say the case is tied to rising tensions after the killing of a Somali taxi driver in Garissa earlier last week.

The situation intensified after a DCI officer allegedly shot and killed the driver at a police roadblock in Modika, setting off protests and anger among residents. It deteriorated further after another attack in Tseikuru, Kitui County, left seven people dead.

In a statement, the DCI said the probe underscores its resolve to enforce laws meant to protect national cohesion and curb incitement.

“We urge the public to exercise restraint in their communications and avoid actions that could incite division or hatred,” the agency said.

Leaders in Garissa and Tana River counties have since appealed for calm and warned against inflammatory remarks. Community elders, religious leaders, elected officials and security officers met at the Garissa County Commissioner’s compound in a high-level effort to ease tensions and avert further violence.