Moses Kabali, a Ugandan citizen, has been sentenced to five years in prison by the Kahawa Chief Magistrate Court for issuing a fake terror alert that targeted Kenyan security agencies.
Kabali was charged under Section 26 of the Prevention of Terrorism Act No. 30 of 2012, following a case that highlighted the severe repercussions of malicious communication.
The incident occurred on June 30, 2024, when Kabali sent an alarming email to the Interpol General Secretariat in France. He falsely claimed that a known terrorist group was planning an imminent attack in Kenya.
Kabali alleged that two individuals, whom he named, were conspiring with unknown operatives to carry out the attack using improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
The email led to swift action by the Anti-Terrorism Police Unit (ATPU), which launched an investigation. However, the claims turned out to be a hoax, wasting valuable resources and causing widespread alarm.
“This is a grave misuse of resources, creating unnecessary panic and distraction from real threats,” said Hon. Gideon Kiage, Chief Magistrate, during the sentencing.
“Issuing fake alerts is not just illegal but endangers public safety; this case sends a strong warning to those who think otherwise,” he added.
During the investigations, ATPU officers initially arrested a female suspect whose phone number was mentioned in Kabali’s report.
She revealed that the phone number was registered under her ID card but was being used by her cousin, who was later apprehended. Both were released after further investigations proved that they had no links to any terror activities.
“Our investigations found no evidence of any terrorist plot, proving Kabali’s claims were unfounded and malicious,” said the ATPU Lead Investigator.
The case took a decisive turn on September 3, 2024, when Kabali was arrested at the California Group of Schools in Eastleigh.
A search of his residence led to the seizure of two mobile phones, two laptops, and various documents. Forensic analysis confirmed that the fake alert email originated from his Yahoo account, leading to his prosecution.
“Kabali’s false report wasted valuable time and manpower that could have been deployed to address genuine security concerns,” stated an ATPU spokesperson.
“The motive behind this hoax was personal, stemming from Kabali’s desire to retaliate against his estranged wife,” explained the Prosecutor’s Office during the trial.
Kabali’s actions were revealed to be an attempt to punish his estranged wife, with whom he had a personal dispute. During the sentencing, Hon. Kiage underscored the importance of stringent penalties to deter such reckless behavior.
Kabali was fined Sh5,000,000, with a default sentence of five years in prison, a term he is now set to serve.