NAIROBI, Kenya — A well-known Mombasa-based lawyer is among 22 people arrested in a sweeping counter-terrorism operation coordinated by the Anti-Terrorism Police Unit (ATPU), the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) announced on Tuesday.
The lawyer, Andrew Chacha Mwita, was arrested on Friday, November 14, in Mombasa following a sting operation targeting individuals suspected of financing, supporting or facilitating terrorism across multiple counties.
According to the DCI, Mwita is accused of financing terrorism, making him one of the key targets of the operation that spanned Nairobi, Mombasa, Kapseret, Moyale and Marsabit.
“Andrew Chacha Mwita… was among 22 individuals who fell on the dragnet of a counter-terrorism operation targeting terror supporters, financiers and beneficiaries,” the DCI said.
Mwita was presented before the Kahawa Law Courts, where detectives sought a 20-day custodial order to continue investigations. The court is expected to deliver its ruling on Wednesday, November 19, 2025.
Other suspects arrested in the same operation also appeared in court, with their detention applications still under judicial review. Among them are Richard Muriuki Murimi, Said Galgalo Duba, Ali Mohamed and Dhalha Abdi Mohamed, whose hearing was deferred to November 18.
In Kapseret, detectives arrested Anthony Odhiambo Odwuor, who will know on November 25 whether the court will grant the 15 days of detention sought by investigators.
Two female suspects — Miriam Ali Abdalla and Aisha Abdullahi — arrested in Mombasa are awaiting a ruling scheduled for November 26, where ATPU officers are seeking 20 days to hold them as investigations continue.
In Marsabit, six individuals — Fatuma Yabalo Guyo, Jilo Arafti Halake, Ajirena Halake Sora, Safia Ture Bidu, Kabale Duba Ali and Abdisalam Hassan Charfi — are facing an application for a 30-day custodial order. Their ruling is also expected on November 26.
The remaining seven suspects will continue with their hearings at the Kahawa Law Courts today.
The crackdown comes just days after the Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP) publicly warned activists against interfering with counter-terrorism operations. In a statement on November 12, CTP defended officers, saying they often work under intense pressure to protect Kenyans from terror networks and drug traffickers.
“Keep activism out of our Counter-Terrorism Police,” CTP said, accusing some activists of harassing officers on duty. The statement followed the arrest of MUHURI Director Khelef Khalifa, four activists, and two journalists at the Sabaki Bridge checkpoint in Malindi.
According to Vocal Africa CEO Hussein Khalid, the group had asked officers manning the checkpoint to remove balaclavas and identify themselves — citing a court order requiring officers in public spaces to appear in uniform with visible identification.
The activists were later taken to Malindi Police Station, sparking renewed debate over police accountability and the balance between human rights monitoring and counter-terrorism operations.
The DCI says the nationwide operation is part of ongoing efforts to disrupt radicalisation networks, recruitment cells, and financial channels used by terror groups. Investigators expect more arrests and court applications as evidence is analysed.
