Meet the Kenyan man accused of importing weapons on behalf of Al Shabaab

A man charged with illegally shipping military equipment and explosives to the Al Shabaab terror group in Somalia has been released on a Ksh.1 million bond.

Zakariya Kamal Sufi Abashiekh has been charged with buying the military equipment on behalf of the Al Shabaab in China and shipping them in three containers to Mogadishu.

One of the containers was recovered while the whereabouts of the other two are unknown.

The suspect was released from custody after spending over one month in police custody as investigators probed his role in the shipment of military equipment to Somalia.

The case before Senior Shanzu Principal Magistrate Yusuf Shikanda, has Zakaria facing several charges under the Prevention of Terrorism Act including belonging to a terrorist group and providing property for the commission of terrorist acts.

Zakariya was arrested in April at the Mama Ngina Water Front on suspicion that he had purchased and shipped military equipment and explosives to Somalia for the Al Shabaab terrorist group.

In an affidavit sworn by the investigating officer, Corporal Gideon Wambua, Zakariya is accused of buying an assortment of equipment that he shipped to Mogadishu. The shipment is said to have originated from China where he is believed to have spent his schooling years.

Three containers were shipped to Mogadishu and one of them was intercepted at the port of entry disguised as normal goods.

A closer inspection of the shipment however revealed an assortment of military equipment including  5 high spec drones capable of carrying 10 litres of liquid at a height of 500 metres above sea level, rifle scopes, material rolls for making military uniforms, 3000 metres of canvas for making tents, portable and foldable solar panes, military-grade walkie talkies and camouflage suits.

The shipment also contained 18 pieces each of night vision goggles voice recording pens, spy watches, spy glasses, swimming goggles,20 flashlights and batteries and military-grade helmets.

Investigators are still probing Zakariya’s activities, especially in light of what they say is evidence received in April – May that he was offering logistical support to Al Shabaab in Somalia.

Detectives are also investigating his phone record, M-Pesa and bank transactions as they seek to unravel the mystery of the Kenyan allegedly supporting  Al Shabaab and the whereabouts of the other two containers he is believed to have shipped to Somalia.