In a landmark ruling, a Nairobi court has found two Kenyan men guilty of aiding the Somali-based militant group al-Shabab in carrying out the deadly 2019 DusitD2 hotel complex attack, which left 21 people dead and scores injured.
The court determined that the convicted individuals—Mohamed Gichunge, the brother of the slain lead attacker, and his associate Hussein Hassan—played critical roles in facilitating the logistics and planning of the assault. Evidence presented during the trial showed the men provided material support, including finances, communication, and transportation, to the attackers in the lead-up to the siege.
Senior Principal Magistrate Zainab Abdul stated that the prosecution had proven its case beyond reasonable doubt, emphasizing the seriousness of the defendants’ involvement in aiding a known terrorist organization.
“The court has established that the accused persons knowingly supported acts of terrorism,” she ruled. “Their actions contributed directly to the execution of the DusitD2 complex attack that claimed innocent lives and caused national trauma.”
The January 15, 2019, attack shocked Kenya and the international community when heavily armed gunmen stormed the upscale hotel and office complex in Nairobi’s Westlands district. The assault lasted nearly 20 hours before all five attackers were neutralized by Kenyan security forces. Al-Shabab, an al-Qaeda-linked group based in Somalia, later claimed responsibility for the atrocity.
Investigations revealed that the attackers received logistical backing from a network of local operatives, including the two men now convicted. According to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), financial transactions, mobile communications, and surveillance footage linked the suspects to the crime.
The sentencing hearing has been scheduled for next week, with prosecutors urging the court to impose the maximum penalty under Kenya’s anti-terror laws, citing the severity and impact of the attack.
Security analysts view the conviction as a major milestone in Kenya’s counter-terrorism efforts. It underscores the country’s commitment to holding not only perpetrators but also accomplices accountable.
The families of the victims, some of whom were present in court, expressed relief at the verdict. “This is a step toward justice,” said one relative. “We can never bring back our loved ones, but at least those who enabled this horror are being held responsible.”
Kenyan authorities have reiterated their resolve to dismantle terror networks and enhance intelligence-sharing to prevent future attacks. The ruling sends a strong message about the consequences of aiding terrorist organizations, even indirectly.
Source : Swifteradio.com
