Making of a terrorist: How Musharaf Abdalla escaped from home in Mumias and ended up at Kamiti prison

The family of Musharaf Abdalla, one of the terror inmates who was rearrested after escaping from the Kamiti Maximum Prison, says there is a lot that they are yet to understand regarding what happened to the son they knew.

According to his mother, Musharaf left home when he was only 14 years to pursue his passion for Islamic education, madrassa.

His family maintains that no matter what Musharaf has been convicted of, he remains their understanding son and one who was passionate about faith and religion.

Bumanyi village in Mumias East, Kakamega County, is where his younger self was shaped.

Zuwena Hamisi, Musharaf’s mother, said: “Alikuwa mtoto mzuri, tena alikuwa anakuja kufunza kwa msikiti hapa. Akitoka Mumias kusoma, anafika hapa awaswalishe isha ndio araudi nyumbani.”

Khadija Shibwabo, his step-mother, on her part said: “Alikuwa hana maneno nyingi, akiongea anakuambia maneno ya dini.”

Mama Zuwena Hamisi says Musharaf was forced to cut short his education in Class 5, he was at the time getting primary education in a school in Busia.

His father had just died and life had become hard, the school fees needed for his education was simply unaffordable.

“Akatoka akaenda Homa Bay kusoma dini, madrassa, akarudi hapa akasoma Mumias muslim, akatoka akaenda Muthurwa akamaliza miaka tatu akaja akapotea hapo Muthurwa,” she said.

Mama Zuwena says she only found Musharaf on the 3rd month since she began searching for him.

He would leave for Watamu in Kilifi County, immediately after, reportedly to continue with madrassa, an islamic religious school.

“Nikarudi nikakaa nikashukuru Mungu, nikasema Mungu alinipa bure na tena Mungu akipenda ataonekana, kama alipanga basi,” she added.

Shibwabo added: “Kutoka siku hiyo tuliskia tu kwa redio akitangazwa ati amepatikana kama ako Al Shabaab, alafu juzi mtu alinipigia tu simu kutoka Nairobi ati amebomoa mahali walikuwa wakatoroka.

Musharaaf Abdalla Akhulunga was arrested on September 30, 2012, over his participation in a foiled attempt to carry out a terror attack targeting Parliament buildings.

He was charged with possession of explosives, ammunition and firearms. Charges that saw him sentenced to 22 years in prison.

“Namuombea tu Mungu amjalie ampe hekima na subira…kama aliyotenda kweli, Mungu amsamehe na serikali imsaidie imsamehe, kwa maana binadamu ndio wnakosa, hakuna mtu mwenye hakosi duniani,” added Mama Zuwena.

It is just about five years since Mama Zuwena Hamisi saw her son during one of her visits to Kamiti prison. She longs for the day she will get to see him again.