Two men have been convicted for their roles in financing and facilitating the 2019 terrorist attack on the Dusit D2 Hotel Complex in Nairobi, which resulted in the deaths of 21 people and left many others injured. The ruling was delivered at the Kahawa Law Courts, where the judge found that the prosecution had proven its case beyond a reasonable doubt against Hussein Mohamed Abdille Ali and Mohamed Abdi Ali on most charges.
Both men were acquitted of one count, but Mohamed Abdi Ali was found guilty of 14 additional charges. Among these was the facilitation of the attack through financial support. Evidence presented during the trial showed that he sent Ksh836,900 to Ali Salim Gichunge, also known by aliases Farouk and Erick Kinyanjui Munyi. Gichunge, who was identified as the deceased attacker and a member of the Al Shabaab terrorist group, was a central figure in the planning and execution of the attack.
The financial transactions that linked Mohamed Abdi Ali to Gichunge took place over a period spanning from October 14, 2018, to January 12, 2019. These took place in the Soko Mbuzi area of Mandera County, a region close to Kenya’s border with Somalia, which has often been cited as a conduit for cross-border terrorism activities.
The trial involved extensive testimony, with the prosecution calling upon 45 witnesses. Their accounts and the evidence presented played a significant role in securing the convictions. The prosecution argued that the accused knowingly supported a terrorist organization and contributed directly to the planning and execution of the attack on the Dusit D2 complex.
The attack, which occurred in January 2019, sent shockwaves throughout Kenya and drew global attention. It was among the deadliest in recent years and marked a significant escalation in the activities of Al Shabaab within Kenyan borders. The group has been responsible for several other high-profile attacks in the country, often targeting public places and foreign interests.
The first accused in the case, Mire Abdulahi, had earlier entered into a plea bargain with the prosecution. He was convicted and sentenced as part of that agreement, which paved the way for the case to proceed against the remaining accused individuals.
In its final submissions, the prosecution urged the court to impose the maximum penalty on the convicts. The Director of Public Prosecutions emphasized that the sentences should be served consecutively rather than concurrently, highlighting the gravity and the impact of the crime. The prosecution also sought the immediate cancellation of bond for the second accused, which the court granted.
The court has ordered the preparation of a probation report for both convicts. This report is expected to provide insights into the background and behavior of the accused and will be taken into account during sentencing. The report is due by June 17, 2025.
In the meantime, Mohamed Abdi Ali has been remanded at Kamiti Maximum Security Prison, one of Kenya’s most secure correctional facilities. The sentencing hearing is scheduled for June 19, 2025, when the court will determine the length and nature of the sentences to be imposed on the convicts. The case underscores Kenya’s continued efforts to combat terrorism and bring those responsible to justice.
