Three terror suspects, who were previously linked with an attack on police officers, have been denied bond by the court.
In a ruling delivered on Monday, April 21, Principal Magistrate Gideon Kiage concurred with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution, which was strongly against the release of the suspects, believed to be part of the Al Shabaab terror group.
“This is a serious matter which the defence does not deny. Given the nature of the attack and the gravity of the charges, the court finds the prosecution’s concerns valid and grounded in precedent,” stated Magistrate Kiage.
The three suspects had previously been charged with conspiracy to commit a terrorist act and were linked with Al Shabaab, which was outlawed in Kenya under Gazette Notice No. 2326 of April 7, 2015.
Two of the suspects also faced charges of facilitating their counterparts' fraudulent application for a Kenyan identity card, but they pleaded not guilty before the Kahawa Law Courts in March 2025.
Fast forward to April 22, and the suspects have been denied bond, with the prosecution strongly believing they pose a genuine threat if they are released back to society.
Amid accusations of planning to commit a terrorist act in Mandera town on or before February 18, 2025, the prosecution grew concerned about potentially freeing the suspects on bond after the court heard that a retaliatory ambush was launched targeting Kenyan security forces, resulting in the death of one police officer.
The officer was part of a team of five Kenyan officers manning the Kenya-Somalia border in Mandera when a group of about 20 officers from Somalia's National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) opened fire.
The gunfire resulted in the killing of a Kenyan security officer, while two others sustained serious injuries. Two guns belonging to the Kenyan officers were also lost during the ambush.
According to the ODPP, the suspects had taken their plea two weeks earlier, but the court had postponed the bond decision to allow the prosecution time to finalise evidence disclosures.
"Following the suspects' plea taking two weeks ago, Hon. Kiage deferred the decision on bail and bond for 30 days to allow the prosecution to finalise disclosures and secure any evidence they intend to rely upon, the ODPP said in a statement.
Because of the gravity of the charges against them, the three suspects are being remanded at Kamiti Maximum Security Prison.
