Three terror suspects who escaped from Kamiti prison convicted
via Tuko2 min read
Three terrorism suspects, Musharaf Abdala, Mohamed Ali Abikar, and Joseph Juma Odhiambo, have been convicted for their 2021 escape from Kamiti Maximum Security Prison. Principal Magistrate Gideon Kiage of the Kahawa Anti-Terrorism Court delivered the guilty verdict after the prosecution, led by Principal Prosecution Counsel James Muchirah, successfully proved the case beyond a reasonable doubt. The court determined that the three knowingly committed a terrorist act by escaping from lawful custody on the night of November 14, 2021, from GK Kamiti Maximum Security Prison in Nairobi County, an act that prejudiced national security. They were charged with committing a terrorist act contrary to Section 41 of the Prevention of Terrorism Act, 2012, among other related charges. The prosecution presented 10 witnesses during the trial. The Director of Public Prosecutions confirmed the conviction, stating it fulfills the office’s mandate to safeguard national security and ensure accountability for terrorism-related offenses. The magistrate directed that the matter be mentioned on June 18, 2026, for sentencing proceedings. The trio's escape in 2021 garnered national attention due to their prior links to terror acts. Zarkawi was arrested in 2012 for a failed terror attempt targeting the Parliament building, Abikar for involvement in the 2015 Garissa University attack, and Joseph Juma Adhiambo alias Yusuf in 2019 for attempting to enlist in al-Shabaab. The Directorate of Criminal Investiga
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Must ReadThe Canadian government has updated its travel advisory for Kenya, placing eight counties on a high-risk red list due to concerns over terrorism and kidnapping. Mandera, Wajir, Garissa, and Lamu counties, bordering Somalia, are designated as no-go zones due to elevated risks of terrorist attacks and kidnapping. Turkana and Marsabit counties, specifically areas within 110 kilometers of the borders with South Sudan and Ethiopia, carry the same designation due to armed banditry and cross-border violence. Portions of Tana River county and areas of Kilifi county north of Malindi are also under the red-level advisory for kidnapping. Additionally, specific Nairobi neighborhoods, including Eastleigh, Kibera, and Pangani, are under a separate "avoid non-essential travel" classification due to high crime rates. For the rest of Kenya, Canadian citizens are advised to exercise a high degree of caution due to general terrorism threats and elevated crime. The advisory also notes that frequent power blackouts could lead to opportunistic theft and disrupt essential services. This warning comes as Kenya's tourism sector, which employs over 500,000 people, approaches its peak travel period, potentially facing fresh pressure from these advisories.
Must ReadThe Kenyan government confirmed that President William Ruto's official website, president.go.ke, was targeted in a cyberattack on Saturday, July 18, 2026. The Ministry of Information, Communications and the Digital Economy Cabinet Secretary William Kabogo Gitau stated that the ICT Authority activated cyber incident response protocols upon detecting the breach. The presidential website was temporarily taken offline as a precautionary measure to facilitate containment, forensic analysis, and restoration efforts. The ministry reported that appropriate mitigation measures have been implemented and restoration is underway, with no evidence of unauthorized access to sensitive data, data exfiltration, or loss of information. Before the site was taken offline, hackers defaced the domain, replacing the homepage with a ransom demand in Bitcoins and threatening to leak government data if payment was not made. The government has not publicly identified the attackers or indicated its stance on the ransom demand. The ICT Authority is conducting a comprehensive forensic investigation with relevant government agencies and technical partners.
The Java House Foundation, in partnership with Dedan Kimathi University of Technology DeKUT, has launched the NextGen Coffee Leaders Scholarship Programme. This initiative, launched in May 2026, will provide 35 fully funded scholarships to young Kenyans aged 18–22 for a Diploma in Coffee Technology and Cupping or a Certificate in Coffee Technology and Quality Management. Scholars will receive full tuition, a monthly stipend for accommodation, meals, and transport, hands-on practical training, mentorship, and career guidance. The program aims to cultivate new coffee professionals, improve quality and sustainability in the coffee value chain, create youth employment pathways, and promote gender inclusion. Applicants must be Kenyan, aged 18–22, have completed KCSE or equivalent, and demonstrate interest in the coffee sector. Those from coffee-growing regions and cooperative societies are strongly encouraged to apply, with a particular emphasis on female applicants. Applications close on July 18, 2026. DeKUT, located in a major coffee-growing zone, is the only university in Kenya offering academic programs in coffee.