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, faces charges related to consorting with him and assault.

• Osman Erdinc Elsek faces charges of being a member of a terrorist group contrary to Section 24 of the Prevention of Terrorism Act, 2012, and collecting information for use in a terrorist act.
• He was allegedly found with a Samsung Flip 7 mobile phone containing video recordings for terrorist acts, with this offense reportedly occurring on January 14, 2026, at the Anti-Terrorism Police Unit (ATPU) in Mombasa.
• Elsek also faces charges for possessing a Glock pistol on January 12, 2026, in Majengo Kanamai, Kilifi South, Kilifi County, under circumstances suggesting it could disrupt public order.
• Magistrate David Odhiambo released Elsek on a Ksh 1 million bond with a surety of the same amount, while Sandikci received a Ksh 500,000 surety bond with a Ksh 200,000 cash bail alternative. The pretrial hearing is set for February 19.