Hussein Mohammed Abdile and Mohamed Abdi Ali were each sentenced to 30 years in prison. They were sentenced for their participation in a 2019 assault on a Nairobi hotel that ended up killing 21 people. Judge Diana Kavedza Mochache threw down judgement gauntlet with authority. She focused on how some of the defendants were responsible for enabling two attackers to flee from a refugee camp, using identity cards with falsified information. It was the militants from al-Shabab who planned and executed an attack that lasted more than 12 hours. It was Nairobi’s first major attack since the horrific Westgate mall massacre in 2013, which left 67 dead.
Like the Nairobi hotel attack, such actions bring catastrophic loss of life. It raised alarm by raising real concerns about security throughout the country, and especially in Kenya’s capital Nairobi. The attackers aimed to pull the Kenyan defense forces out of Somalia. This civilian-led military establishment has been on the frontlines of regional efforts to defeat al-Shabab’s insurgency. This meant that Abdile and Ali’s actions were central to the attackers’ success. This serves as a sobering reminder of the very real threats that militant groups still present.
Details of the Attack
On January 15, 2019, al-Shabab fighters executed a coordinated attack on the DusitD2 luxury hotel complex in Nairobi. Their horrific siege reverberated throughout the country. The attackers were methodical in planning their strike to instigate the most turmoil and gain national media attention. They marched into a square favored by locals and tourists in equal measure.
The attack killed 21 people and wounded more than 60. Eyewitnesses painted a harrowing picture of the resulting panic and chaos. Civilians fled in droves to find shelter amid the long 12-hour siege. The emotional effect from the attack was profound. Thousands of victims and their families continue to grapple with the trauma.
“This was not a crime with isolated harm; 21 lives were lost,” – Al Jazeera and news agencies
Sentencing and Implications
Judge Mochache’s sentencing is symbolic of the judiciary’s dedication to holding those who commit terrorism-related offenses fully accountable for their crimes. Abdile and Ali now have only 14 days to appeal the ruling. This unfortunate episode underscores the legal ambiguities and challenges that mark terrorism-related cases in Kenya. Their conviction should remind us all of our shared imperative to fight radicalization and terrorism in the homeland and the region.
Kenya has suffered many al-Shabab attacks in the last few years. One of the deadliest was the attack on Garissa University in 2015, which killed a devastatingly tragic 148 people. These incidents, at great cost, illustrate the continued threat posed by this violent extremist organization. They are even more resolved to force Kenyan troops out of Somalia.
“The emotional scars of the attack run deep,” – Al Jazeera and news agencies
Broader Context
The Nairobi hotel attack is the latest example of a growing trend of violence linked to al-Shabab. This militant group has wreaked havoc across East Africa for over a decade. The group’s initial stated objective is to end foreign military presence in Somalia. They want to make their reign a rule of violence.
Kenya, for its part, is legitimately on the front line in the fight against al-Shabab. The powerful message of this recent sentencing will significantly deter would be collaborators and supporters of terrorism. The government is still primarily focused on increasing security measures rather than tackling the vulnerabilities that militants are taking advantage of.
