The Isiolo Law Court convicted Musa Mohammed and Joel Ntongai Ntonja of offences committed after they were intercepted at an Archers Post roadblock in Samburu County, along the Isiolo-Marsabit Highway, on September 9, 2023.
According to the prosecution, a multi-agency security team stopped the two men and, upon searching their vehicle, recovered 10 cartons containing 1,600 pieces of Explogel V6 25×270 water gel explosives, six 250-metre rolls of detonating cord, and 50 Ideal SSD 1 electric detonators.
The suspects were immediately arrested and taken to Isiolo Police Station, where the Anti-Terrorism Police Unit (ATPU) assumed investigations.
They were subsequently charged with possession of explosives contrary to Section 29 of the Explosives Act (Cap 115) and conveying explosives without a permit contrary to Sections 13(1) and 13(2) of the same Act.
The case was concluded on July 9, 2026, when Senior Resident Magistrate Maureen Odhiambo found both accused guilty on all three counts.
The court fined each convict Ksh.300,000 on every count, with a default sentence of four years’ imprisonment for each offence. As a result, each was sentenced to serve a total of 12 years in prison in default of paying the fines.
Following the ruling, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) warned that the unlawful possession or transportation of explosives poses a serious threat to public safety and said offenders will continue to face the full force of the law.
