Mombasa man charged with ISIS membership, terrorism-related offences

A 26-year-old man has been charged with three terrorism-related offences, including membership in the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) terrorist group.

Bakari Omar Kingi appeared before Mombasa Senior Resident Magistrate Gladys Olimo on Tuesday, where he denied the charges brought against him under the Prevention of Terrorism Act, 2012.

According to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), Kingi is accused of being a member of ISIS on or before September 30, 2026, at Mtito Andei Jamia Mosque and Islamic Centre in Makueni County, alongside other individuals who have not been brought before the court.

He faces a second charge of possessing articles allegedly connected to the commission of a terrorist act, contrary to Section 30 of the Act.

The prosecution alleges that Kingi was found with an Itel A60S mobile phone fitted with two Safaricom SIM cards. The device allegedly contained audio recordings, images and videos linked to extremist groups, including Al-Shabaab and Al-Qaeda.

Among the audio files listed in the charge sheet were recordings titled Kimya Kimya, Cheche za Moto, Al Qaeda Masimba, Ndugu Kufuzu ni kwa Jihad and Nairobi Tutafika.

The prosecution alleges that the materials were intended for use in instigating the commission of a terrorist act.

Kingi also faces a third count of collecting information contrary to Section 29 of the Prevention of Terrorism Act, with the charge sheet citing the same mobile phone and its alleged contents.

Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Brenda Ogada opposed his release on bond, asking the court to order a pre-bail report to guide its determination.

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

The matter will be mentioned for pre-trial directions on November 10, 2026.