Turkish Businessman Charged with Al-Shabaab Membership; Two Arrested with Ammunition in Kitui - February 2026

A Turkish businessman, Osman Erdinc Elsek, has been charged in a Mombasa court with multiple terrorism-related offenses, including alleged membership in the Al-Shabaab terrorist group and illegal possession of a firearm. His co-accused, Gokmen Sandikci, is facing charges for consorting with him and assault. In a separate security incident, two suspects were arrested in Kitui County. Police discovered 30 rounds of live ammunition in a backpack on a passenger bus traveling along the Garissa-Thika Highway. The discovery was made during a routine security operation in Kanyonyoo.