Man in Court Over Alleged ISIS Membership, Terror-Related Files on Phone

A 26-year-old man has appeared before a Mombasa court to face three terrorism-related charges, including alleged membership in the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) terrorist group.

In a statement on Wednesday, October 21, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) said Bakari Omar Kingi faced three charges under the Prevention of Terrorism Act, 2012, relating to alleged membership in a terrorist group, possession of articles connected with a terrorist act, and collection of information.

"A 26-year-old man on Tuesday appeared before a Mombasa court to face three terrorism-related charges, including being a member of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) terrorist group," the statement read.

The ODPP said the first charge accused Kingi of being a member of a terrorist group, contrary to Section 24 of the Prevention of Terrorism Act, 2012.

According to the particulars presented in court, the alleged offence occurred on or before September 30, 2026, at Mtito Andei Jamia Mosque and Islamic Centre in Makueni County.

Kingi was accused of being a member of ISIS alongside other individuals who were not before the court.

The accused also faced a second charge relating to the alleged possession of materials connected with the commission of a terrorist act.

"He is also faced with a second count of being in possession of articles connected with the commission of a terrorist act, contrary to Section 30 of the Prevention of Terrorism Act, 2012," the statement added.

According to the charge sheet, Kingi allegedly possessed an Itel A60S mobile phone fitted with two Safaricom SIM cards.

The phone was said to contain audio recordings, images and videos allegedly linked to extremist groups, including Al-Shabaab and Al-Qaeda.

The prosecution listed several audio recordings allegedly found on the device, which it claimed were connected to extremist activities.

"Some of the audio files listed in the charge sheet included recordings titled Kimya Kimya, Cheche za Moto, Al Qaeda Masimba, Ndugu Kufuzu ni kwa Jihad, and Nairobi Tutafika," the statement further read.

The court heard that the materials allegedly found on the phone were articles intended for use in instigating the commission of a terrorist act, contrary to the law.

Kingi faced a third charge of collecting information, contrary to Section 29 of the Prevention of Terrorism Act, 2012.

"The particulars of the third count cited the same mobile phone and its alleged contents, including audio recordings, images, and video files," the statement noted.

During the proceedings, Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Brenda Ogada opposed the accused's release on bond.

Ogada asked the court to order the preparation of a pre-bail report to guide the determination of whether Kingi should be granted bail.

Senior Resident Magistrate Olimo directed the Probation and Aftercare Service to prepare the report within 30 days.

The court scheduled the matter for a pre-trial hearing on November 10.

This comes weeks after the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) charged a man with cyber harassment after he allegedly sent a threatening message to a magistrate over a case she was handling.

In a statement on Friday, October 9, the ODPP said the suspect, Francis Kamau Karanja, was arraigned at the Milimani Law Courts. 

According to the ODPP, Karanja sent the alleged message to the magistrate on September 28, 2026, at around 7PM.

"The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has charged a man with cyber harassment for allegedly sending a threatening message to a magistrate over a case she was handling.

"Francis Kamau Karanja was arraigned at the Milimani Law Courts, where the prosecution told the court that he sent the said message to the magistrate on 28th September 2026 at about 7pm using his phone," read the statement in part. 

Karanja was apprehended after the magistrate reported the matter at Kibera Police Station. The accused, who appeared before Senior Principal Magistrate Irene Thamara, denied the charge.