By Shadrack Nyakoe
The Kahawa Chief Magistrate Court has sentenced Moses Kabali, a Ugandan national, to five years in prison for hoaxing security officers under Section 26 of the Prevention of Terrorism Act No. 30 of 2012.
Kabali was found guilty of falsely reporting an imminent terrorist attack to the Interpol General Secretariat in France on June 30, 2024. He claimed that two individuals, allegedly known to him, were planning to carry out an attack in Kenya using Improvised Explosive Devices.
His report triggered an investigation by Kenya’s Anti-Terrorism Police Unit (ATPU), which led to the arrest of a female suspect. She later revealed that the phone number mentioned in Kabali’s report was registered under her ID card but used by her cousin, who was also arrested. However, both were found to have no connection to any terror activities.
Kabali was arrested on September 3, 2024, at the California Group of Schools in Eastleigh. Forensic analysis of his electronic devices revealed that he had sent the hoax email from his Yahoo account. It was later uncovered that Kabali’s actions were motivated by anger over a separation from his wife, rather than any legitimate security threat.
In sentencing, justice Gideon Kiage imposed a fine of Sh5 million on Kabali, with a default punishment of five years imprisonment.