Two men suspected of recruiting Mombasa youth into Al-Shabaab, ISIS detained

Two suspected terrorist recruiters will be detained for an additional 21 days after a Mombasa court granted the State more time to conclude investigations into their alleged offences.

Yusuf Mrafi (27) and Ali Mwalimu Mwinyi (21) are accused of attempting to recruit youth in Likoni into Al-Shabaab and ISIS terror groups by propagating the teachings of the late radical Muslim cleric Aboud Rogo.

"Detectives believe that Mrafi, 27, and Mwinyi, 21, may be part of a terror cell brewing in Likoni sub-county, Mombasa County recruiting youths to join ISIS and Al Shabaab terrorists in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Somalia," the Office of the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) said in a statement.

Shanzu Senior Resident Magistrate David Odhiambo also heard that one of Mrafi and Mwinyi's known associates joined Al-Shabaab after allegedly being radicalised by the duo.

"The investigation officer linked the two to a man called Nassor nicknamed ‘Rogo’ suspected to had gone to join Al Shabaab, who got radicalized after accessing videos of Aboud Rogo's preaching from the social media site TikTok," said the ODPP.

"The two respondents allegedly informed detectives that there are others who are still using Aboud Rogo’s teachings to radicalize and are yet to be arrested."

The case will be heard on May 7, 2024.