Prominent Lawyer Among 22 Arrested in Nationwide Terror-Financing Sweep
A high-profile Mombasa lawyer is among 22 suspects arrested in an aggressive Anti-Terrorism Police Unit (ATPU) operation targeting alleged terror financiers, crypto-powered money channels, radicalisation agents and recruitment cells across Kenya.
Andrew Chacha Mwita, a respected advocate, was arrested on Friday, 14 November 2025 in a covert ATPU raid in Mombasa. Detectives accuse him of participating in a network believed to be funnelling funds to terror operatives through underground financial and digital channels.
The operation — described by investigators as one of the most coordinated in recent years — extended to Nairobi, Kapseret, Moyale and Marsabit.
ATPU Seeks Extended Custody for Key Suspects
Mwita was presented before the Kahawa Law Courts on Monday, where detectives sought a 20-day custodial order to continue what they termed a complex financial-trail investigation. A ruling is expected on Wednesday, 19 November.
In Nairobi, four other suspects — Richard Muriuki Murimi, Said Galgalo Duba, Ali Mohamed and Dhalha Abdi Mohamed — will appear before the same court today after their earlier hearing was deferred.
ATPU officers also traced Anthony Odhiambo Oduor to Kapseret. The court will rule on a 15-day detention request on 25 November.
More Arrests in Mombasa and Marsabit
In Mombasa, the ATPU is seeking 20 days’ custody for Miriam Ali Abdalla and Aisha Abdullahi, with a ruling set for 26 November.
The same date will determine the fate of six Marsabit suspects —
Fatuma Yabalo Guyo
Jilo Arafti Halake
Ajirena Halake Sora
Safia Ture Bidu
Kabale Duba Ali
Abdisalam Hassan Charfi
— for whom investigators are requesting 30 days’ detention due to what they describe as “intelligence-sensitive leads.”
Hearings for the remaining seven suspects continue today at the Kahawa Law Courts.
DCI: Crackdown Will Continue Unapologetically
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) praised the sweeping operation, saying it reflects a renewed resolve to dismantle extremist networks operating across the country.
“The fight against terrorism remains red-hot. No stone will be left unturned,” the DCI said in a brief statement.
Investigators believe the latest arrests have disrupted key funding and recruitment funnels, including alleged crypto-based transactions, cross-border money trails and radicalisation pipelines stretching from coastal towns to northern Kenya.
The ATPU indicated that the operation will continue in phases as detectives analyse digital evidence, financial records and communication intercepts.