Nairobi court jails Somali national linked to Al-Shabaab for 60 years

By Margaret KalekyeTuesday April 28, 2026

A Somali national has been convicted and jailed for belonging to the terrorist group Al-Shabaab.

Abdikarim Hassanow Hassan, also known as Ali, was sentenced on Monday by the Kahawa magistrates’ court after the Director of Public Prosecutions called four witnesses.

The court handed Hassanow 10 years’ imprisonment for membership in Al-Shabaab, and a further 10 years for organising a meeting in support of a terrorist group.

He was also given 10 years for radicalisation, another 10 years for recruiting members of a terrorist group, and an additional 10 years for facilitating the recruitment of members of a terrorist group.

On the count of financing travel for terrorism purposes, the court imposed another 10-year prison term.

Evidence before the court showed that on or before April 2, 2024, at Kehancha Township in Kehancha Sub-County, Migori County, the accused was found to be a member of Al-Shabaab, an outlawed terrorist organisation listed under Kenyan Gazette Notice number 12585 of 2010, in violation of the law.

The court also found that he organised a meeting while knowing, or having reasonable grounds to believe, that its agenda supported Al-Shabaab.

Hassanow was also found to have orchestrated the recruitment and radicalisation of a minor, whom he allegedly enticed with promises of money, military training and religious reward.

He further helped facilitate the minor’s attempted travel from Migori County to Somalia to join Al-Shabaab, providing logistical guidance, travel routes and financial support.

The court said the evidence presented by prosecuting counsel Kennedy Amwayi showed the accused had played a central role in influencing and preparing the minor for terrorism-related activity.

The judge also ruled that the victim’s testimony was credible and consistent, and that it established a clear pattern of indoctrination, planning and facilitation.

“I make a finding that the prosecution established a troubling narrative of facilitation, ideological, and preparation and did prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the accused was the author, financier, recruiter, or radicalizer as charged in all counts. Having meticulously analysed each count, the applicable statutory provisions, and the evidence tendered by both the prosecution and the defence, this court concludes that the accused is guilty as charged,” ruled Hon.Ombewa.

Boaz Ombewa ordered that the sentences run concurrently.