In June 2025, the High Court in Nairobi sentenced two men to 30 years in prison for aiding the 2019 DusitD2 hotel terror attack. The attack left more than 20 people dead and many others injured. Justice Diana Kavedza delivered the ruling, finding that the two men knowingly supported the attackers in planning and carrying out the assault.
The Court’s Reasoning
The judge ruled that their actions met the legal test of aiding terrorism under the Prevention of Terrorism Act. The prosecution had shown that they provided support and information that made it possible for the attackers to strike. According to the judgment, such involvement, even if not direct participation in the shooting or bombing, is enough to attract a heavy penalty under Kenyan law.
Why the Case Matters
This decision confirms that terror-related trials can go on for years after the crime, but justice eventually catches up with those involved. The ruling also shows the courts’ firm position against terrorism. For example, in the 2021 case of Mohamed Abdi Ali v Republic the Court of Appeal upheld long prison terms for suspects who had been convicted of plotting terror attacks. In that case, Justice Fatuma Sichale, sitting with two other judges, held that planning and preparing for terrorism attracts punishment equal to carrying it out.
Impact on the Public
The judgment means that anyone who plays a role in terrorism, whether by funding, hiding suspects, offering information, or giving logistical help, faces the risk of long prison sentences. The law does not only target those who carry weapons, but also anyone who makes such attacks possible.
Kenya’s Place in Global Counter Terrorism
The ruling also fits into Kenya’s wider obligations under regional and international law. Kenya is a member of the African Union and the United Nations and has signed agreements that require states to punish terrorism in all its forms. These agreements do not only focus on the attackers but also on those who provide planning, financial, or logistical support. By handing down tough sentences, the High Court showed that Kenya is aligning its practice with international standards and sending a message that terrorism will be punished with the full force of the law.
Sources
- High Court judgment delivered by Justice Diana Kavedza in June 2025 on the DusitD2 terror attack case
- Prevention of Terrorism Act of Kenya
- Court of Appeal decision in Mohamed Abdi Ali v Republic delivered in 2021 by Justice Fatuma Sichale and two other judges
- African Union Convention on the Prevention and Combating of Terrorism 1999
- United Nations Security Council Resolutions on counter terrorism, especially Resolution 1373 of 2001
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