Two suspects charged with trafficking in persons
Fitsu Haile Michael, and a Kenyan, Jaafer Rahow Salat
A Somali national, Fitsu Haile Michael, and a Kenyan, Jaafer Rahow Salat, were Wednesday charged at a Makadara Court with the offence of trafficking in persons.
The two are accused of conspiring with others not before the court to commit the offence between 16th and January 27, 2025, within Nairobi County.
They were charged with an additional three counts of trafficking in persons and falsely representing themselves as individuals to whom certain identity cards belonged.
Prosecuting Counsel Brenda Nandwa, told the court that the accused persons trafficked four individuals of Somali origin, including a 14-year-old child, a 17-year-old child, and an adult, Said Adhow Abdi, from Nairobi to Busia border using deception for purposes of exploitation.
The accused pleaded not guilty before Senior Principal Magistrate Joseph Karanja.
They were detained pending bail application hearing.
The matter will be mentioned on May 6, 2025.
Meanwhile, the prosecution urged the Kahawa Law Courts to convict and sentence two individuals linked to the 2019 Dusit D2 terror attack.
In submissions filed by Duncan Ondimu, the prosecution argued they had proven its case beyond reasonable doubt.
Hussein Mohamed Abdille Ali and Mohamed Abdi Ali are jointly charged with conspiracy to commit an offence contrary to section 23(2) as read with section 23(4) of the prevention of Terrorism Act, Cap 59B (POTA) and committing a terrorist act contrary to section 4(2) of POTA.
Additionally, Abdille Ali faces an extra charge of facilitating a terrorist act, while Abdi Ali faces fourteen counts of the same offence.
The charges stem from the heinous terrorist attack on the Dusit D2 Hotel Complex on 15th January 2019, where four armed assailants and a suicide bomber claimed the lives of 21 innocent people and left several others with life-threatening injuries.
During trial, Prosecution presented evidence through 45 witnesses, and on January 21 2025, the court ruled that the accused had a case to answer.
Judgment will be delivered on May 22. 2025