MOMBASA, Kenya — A Turkish national described by prosecutors as a businessman was on Tuesday charged before a Mombasa court with terrorism-related offences, including alleged membership in the Al-Shabaab militant group and illegal possession of a firearm.
Osman Erdinc Elsek was arraigned before Senior Resident Magistrate David Odhiambo and charged with being a member of a terrorist organisation, contrary to Section 24 of the Prevention of Terrorism Act, 2012.
According to the charge sheet, Elsek was, on an unknown date and time within the Republic of Kenya, found to be a member of Harakat Al Shabaab Mujahideen, a proscribed terrorist group under Kenyan law.
He was further charged with collecting information for use in the commission of a terrorist act, contrary to Section 29 of the Prevention of Terrorism Act.
Prosecutors alleged that Elsek was found in possession of a Samsung Flip 7 mobile phone containing video recordings allegedly intended for use in a terrorist act.
The prosecution told the court that the offence relating to the alleged collection of information occurred on January 14, 2026, at about 5.23 pm, at the Anti-Terrorism Police Unit (ATPU) offices in Mombasa.
Elsek also faces a charge of possession of an article connected with the commission of a terrorist act, contrary to Section 30 of the Prevention of Terrorism Act.
In a separate count, he was charged with possession of a firearm, contrary to Section 89(1) of the Penal Code. Prosecutors alleged that on January 12, 2026, at about 8 pm in the Majengo Kanamai area, Kilifi South Sub-County, Kilifi County, Elsek was found in possession of a Glock pistol in circumstances that raised suspicion that the firearm was intended to be used in a manner prejudicial to public order.
His co-accused, Gokmen Sandikci, was charged with consorting with a person in possession of a firearm, contrary to Section 89(2) of the Penal Code. The prosecution alleged that Sandikci was found in the company of Elsek at the time the illegal pistol was recovered.
The two were also jointly charged with assault causing actual bodily harm, contrary to Section 251 of the Penal Code, following an alleged incident involving one Boniface Katana.
Principal Prosecution Counsel Barbara Sombo urged the court to impose strict bond terms, arguing that both accused persons are foreign nationals with no fixed abode in Kenya.
Ms. Sombo asked the court to require the accused to provide sureties, deposit their passports with the court, and grant the prosecution time to supply witness statements and documentary evidence ahead of trial.
In his ruling, Magistrate Odhiambo ordered Elsek to be released on a Sh1 million bond with a surety of a similar amount, in addition to providing one Kenyan contact person.
Sandikci was released on a Sh500,000 bond with a surety of a similar amount, with an alternative cash bail of Sh200,000.
The court directed that the matter proceed to pre-trial on February 19, 2026.
