A Turkish national has been charged before a Mombasa court over alleged links to the Al-Shabaab terrorist group and the possession of an illegal firearm, in a case that has drawn the attention of investigators from the anti-terrorism unit.
Osman Erdinc Elsek was arraigned before Senior Resident Magistrate David Odhiambo on Tuesday, and charged with several offences related to terrorism under the Prevention of Terrorism Act, 2012, as well as firearm-related charges under the Penal Code.
According to the charge sheet, Elsek is accused of being a member of Harakat Al Shabaab Mujahideen, a proscribed terrorist organization, contrary to Section 24 of the Act.
Based on the prosecutors’ allegations, it is said that on an unknown date and time within the Republic of Kenya, the accused knowingly associated himself with the outlawed group.
The accused was further charged with collecting information for use in the commission of a terrorist act, contrary to Section 29 of the same law. The prosecution also informed the court that Elsek, when searched was found in possession of a Samsung Flip 7 mobile phone which was allegedly containing recorded videos intended for use in terrorist activities.
The offence is said to have taken place on January 14, 2026, at around 5:23pm at the Anti-Terrorism Police Unit (ATPU) offices in Mombasa.
In a separate count, Elsek faces charges of being in possession of articles connected to the commission of a terrorist act, contrary to Section 30 of the Prevention of Terrorism Act.
Elsek also faces a charge related to firearm possession after he was allegedly found possessing a Glok pistol on January 12, 2026, at Majengo Kanamai area in Kilifi South, Kilifi County. The prosecutors argued that the circumstances of the recovery of the firearm raised suspicion that it was intended to be used in a manner that is prejudicial to public order.
Gokmen Sandikci, Elsek’s co-accused, was on the other side charged with consorting with a person that is in possession of a firearm. The two were jointly charged with allegedly assaulting Boniface Katana, causing him actual bodily harm, contrary to Section 251 of the Penal Code.
Principal Prosecution Counsel Barbara Sombo urged the court to impose strict bond terms, considering that the accused persons are foreign nationals with no fixed abode.
She further asked the court to order the accused to deposit their passports with the court until the conclusion of the case and sought a pretrial date to allow the prosecution to supply witness statements and other documentary evidence.
The court released Elsek on a bond of Sh1 million with a similar surety and ordered him to provide a Kenyan contact person. Sandikci was granted a Sh500,000 bond with an alternative cash bail of Sh200,000. The court directed that the matter will be mentioned for pretrial on February 19th 2026.
