Three men suspected to be linked to the Al-Shabaab terror group have been formally charged with conspiracy to carry out a terrorist attack in Kenya. The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) revealed on Thursday that the accused attempted to kidnap a foreign national in Mandera County.
According to court documents, Isaq Cabdi Xasan, also known as Issack Mohammed — a Somali national — was charged alongside Kenyans Noor Yakub Ali and Yusuf Maalim. The trio allegedly conspired with others not before the court to kidnap an expatriate working at the Sinohydro Corporation Limited sewerage project in Mandera on February 18, 2025.
In addition to terrorism-related charges, the three were also accused of being members of the outlawed Al-Shabaab organization, which is responsible for numerous terror attacks across East Africa.
Further, the court heard that Noor and Yusuf facilitated Isaq’s attempt to illegally obtain a Kenyan ID card. Isaq was also separately charged with falsely applying for the national identity card at the Mandera County Registrar of Persons’ office. He was found to be unlawfully present in Kenya and pleaded guilty to those specific charges.
“The court has convicted Isaq on the identity fraud charges. We are pushing for the maximum sentence,” stated the prosecution. Sentencing for Isaq has been scheduled for April 4, 2025.
Meanwhile, Yusuf Maalim also faces a charge for allegedly giving false information to a government official.
The prosecution opposed bail for all three suspects, citing national security concerns. The court ordered a pre-bail assessment report and set April 4, 2025, as the date for the bond ruling. Until then, the suspects will remain in custody at Kamiti Maximum Security Prison.
