Kenyan being investigated over Al-Shabaab-bound weapons seized in Somalia

MOMBASA, Kenya - A Kenyan national is being investigated over a cache of weapons which were recently seized in Aden Adde International Airport in Somalia, it has emerged, with authorities in the East Africa nation taking control of the case, which could be possible smuggling through international borders.

Zakariya Kamal Sufi Abashiek could face charges including but not limited to belonging to a terror organization according to the Director of Criminal Investigations [DCI]. The DCI team has sought 10 more days to hold him in the middle of investigations.

According to the sleuths, the is enough evidence linking Zakariya to aiding Al-Shabaab militants, a group which has been wreaking havoc in the country. The evidence, DCI said, associates Zakariya with transportation of a container from China to Somalia containing sophisticated weapons..

Further reports show that the same container marked MSMU826114145G1 shipped to Somalia from China was the same one flagged by security agencies in Mogadishu. Somalia’s state minister for Security Mohamed Haga announced on May 9 that authorities had seized a cache of weapons at Aden Adde Airport leading to the arrest of 10 suspects.

Some of the seized weapons include JS crop drones which can carry up to 10 litres of liquid besides covering a huge radius, roles of material for military uniforms and 3,000 metres of canvas packed in 30-metre rolls for making tents.

In addition, 18-night vision goggles and swimming goggles, 18 voice recording pens, 18 spy goggles and watches, military-grade two-way radios and helmets, ghillie suits [camouflage], portable solar panels and 20 torches and batteries were all seized at the Mogadishu airport.

The Anti-Terror Police Unit arrested Zakariya on April 28th before arraigning him in a Mombasa court. Already, Kamal had been released having paid $10,000 cash bail, prompting the sleuths to make the latest request. The DCI also intends to visit

Kamal was arrested on April 28 in Mombasa and adduced in court on May 2 before he was detained for ten days. The Anti-Terrorsim Police Unit (ATPU) also requested 16 more days to investigate Kamal but the extension has since ended and Kamal is out on a $10,000 cash bail.

The ATPU told the court that Kamal had received death threats from Somalia. According to Kenyan media reports, the DCI intends to visit Somalia and China to widen their investigations before charging Kamal, in one of the very cases which are taking international and multi-agency security approach as Kenya pushes to thwart Al-Shabaab attacks..

In recent weeks, the Al-Shabaab militants have been attacking northern and coastal Kenya, mainly targeting security forces. Kenya has vowed to target the militants even within inside Somalia, with security minister Kithure Kindiki firing shots at the militants last week.

GAROWE ONLINE