A prominent Mombasa-based lawyer is among 22 individuals arrested in a sweeping counter-terrorism operation coordinated by the Anti-Terrorism Police Unit (ATPU).
In a statement on Tuesday, November 18, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) said the arrests, which took place across Nairobi, Mombasa, Kapseret, Moyale, and Marsabit, aim to curb support, financing, and recruitment for terrorist activities in Kenya.
According to the DCI, the lawyer, Andrew Chacha Mwita, was reportedly among those targeted by the ATPU for allegedly supporting and facilitating terrorism.
"Andrew Chacha Mwita, a prominent Mombasa-based lawyer was among 22 individuals who fell on the dragnet of a counter terrorism operation targeting terror supporters, financiers and beneficiaries in Nairobi, Mombasa, Kapseret, Moyale and Marsabit," the statement read.
Mwita was arrested in Mombasa following a sting operation led by the ATPU.
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Authorities have confirmed that he was taken into custody on charges related to financing terrorism, with the ongoing operation bringing into custody others linked to similar offences across the country.
"Mwita was arrested on Friday, November 14, 2025 in Mombasa following a sting operation led by the Anti-Terrorism Police Unit for financing terrorism. The ongoing operation also netted other suspects accused of facilitating, radicalization, recruitment and financing terror activities nationwide," the statement added.
After his arrest, Mwita was presented before the Kahawa Law Courts where detectives requested a 20-day custodial order to continue their investigations.
"He was presented before Kahawa Law Courts yesterday where detectives sought 20 days custodial order. The ruling will be made on Wednesday, November 19, 2025," the statement further read.
At the same time, several other individuals arrested in connection with the same operation also appeared in court.
According to the DCI, their applications for detention orders are at various stages of judicial consideration.
"A custodial application hearing for Richard Muriuki Murimi, Said Galgalo Duba, Ali Mohamed and Dhalha Abdi Mohamed who were nabbed within Nairobi was deferred to today, November 18, 2025," the statement continued.
One of the suspects, identified as Anthony Odhiambo Odwuor, was apprehended in Kapseret and is awaiting a ruling on the custodial order requested by detectives investigating his involvement in terror-related activities.
Additionally, two female suspects arrested in Mombasa are currently facing a court application for detention, with the ruling expected later this month.
"Anthony Odhiambo Odwuor who was traced down to Kapseret will equally know his fate on November 25, 2025 when a ruling of 15 days custodial order sought against him will be made.
"Further, the court will make a decision on November 26, 2025 regarding a miscellaneous application for 20 days custodial order against Miriam Ali Abdalla and Aisha Abdullahi who were arrested in Mombasa," the statement read.
In Marsabit, a group of six individuals apprehended during the same counter-terrorism sweep are also awaiting the court’s decision regarding a lengthy custodial order sought by investigators.
"On that same day, Fatuma Yabalo Guyo, Jilo Arafti Halake, Ajirena Halake Sora, Safia Ture Bidu, Kabale Duba Ali and Abdisalam Hassan Charfi who were fished out in the neighborhood of Marsabit will also know the outcome of a 30 days custodial order sought against them," the statement concluded.
The hearings for the remaining seven suspects are scheduled to continue today at the same court.
This comes a week after the Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP) issued a warning to activists against meddling in counter-terrorism operations.
In a statement on Wednesday, November 12, CTP defended police officers, saying they go to great lengths to protect Kenyans from terrorists and drug-smuggling activities.
CTP called on activists to respect the police officers and keep activism out of their workplaces.
"Keep activism out of our Counter-Terrorism Police. These young officers you are harassing in their places of duty every day go to great lengths to protect Kenyans.
"They are separated from their loved ones to protect Kenyans from Terrorists and drug smugglers. Commercial activists, if you can't appreciate their work, keep activism out of their work stations and respect their work," CTP stated.
This came after Muslims for Human Rights (MUHURI) director Khelef Khalifa, four other activists, and two journalists were arrested at the Sabaki Bridge checkpoint in Malindi while heading to Lamu.
In a statement, Vocal Africa CEO Hussein Khalid said the activists demanded that the police officers manning the roadblock remove their balaclavas and show their identity cards.
"Five human rights defenders and two journalists have been arrested near Malindi for demanding that police officers manning a road block remove their balaclavas. The activists had a copy of a court order which ruled that officers in public spaces should be in uniform and not to cover their faces," said Khalid.
Following the arrest, activists were taken to the Malindi Police Station.
