Canadian charged with terrorism after mosque attack in Westlands, Nairobi
A 32-year-old Canadian national was charged with terrorism and multiple related offences following a violent machete attack at Masjid Westlands mosque in Nairobi.
The attack happened on February 28, 2026 during morning prayers.
The suspect, identified as Mohamed Mohamed alias Mohamed Abdul Mohamed, pleaded not guilty when he appeared before the Kahawa Law Courts on April 2, 2026.
He faces nine counts, including committing a terrorist act, assault causing actual bodily harm, possession of fake currency, and unlawful presence in Kenya.
He was remanded at Kamiti Maximum Prison pending further proceedings, with the case set for mention on April 13, 2026, for a pre-bail report.
According to investigators, the suspect allegedly entered the mosque at around 6:00 a.m. posing as a worshipper attending Fajr prayers.
Once inside, he reportedly locked the main entrance, drew a machete, and attacked congregants, injuring about five people before being subdued.
Police officers from Kileleshwa Police Station responded promptly, re-arresting the suspect at the scene and recovering the weapon used.
The injured victims were taken to hospitals within Nairobi County for treatment.
Detectives from DCI Kilimani, working alongside the Anti-Terrorism Police Unit (ATPU), conducted a multi-agency investigation that included forensic examination of the scene, CCTV analysis, and digital review of the suspect’s mobile phone.
Authorities also verified his immigration status and engaged Canadian counterparts as part of background checks.
Investigations revealed that the suspect arrived at the mosque in a black Toyota Harrier, which was later recovered at the scene.
A search of his residence in Nairobi’s Riverside area yielded additional material evidence.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations reiterates its commitment to intelligence-led operations and collaboration with partner agencies in addressing terrorism and violent crime.
Meanwhile, the prosecution secured a 30-year prison sentence against Ali Ahmed Mohammed, a police officer attached to the Critical Infrastructure Protection Unit in Trans Nzoia Sub-County, for the murder of his colleague, Anthony Pkiror Areutum. The case was prosecuted by Counsel Sidi Kirenge.
The High Court, presided over by Justice Reuben Nyakundi, heard that on 27 February 2024 at about 1.00 p.m., the accused, who had just completed his duty shift, entered VDM Liquor Store while armed with a Taurus pistol issued to him earlier that morning.
While at the premises, the deceased raised concern about how the accused was handling and displaying the firearm and advised him to place it safely.
The accused became irritated by the remarks and, in response, pointed the pistol towards the deceased in protest. In the process, the firearm discharged, fatally wounding the deceased and injuring the accused.
During the trial, the prosecution called five witnesses and produced the arms movement register, the ballistics report and the post-mortem report as exhibits, which corroborated the circumstances leading to the fatal shooting.
In delivering the sentence, Justice Nyakundi noted that the defence had not presented any mitigating factors such as self-defence, provocation, immaturity, drunkenness, or accidental discharge.
He further observed that the Taurus revolver issued to the accused to safeguard the public in Trans Nzoia County was instead unlawfully used to take the life of a fellow officer in the National Police Service.