This archive report was first published on 29 September 2019.
Published on September 29, 2019, Kenyan police have launched a manhunt for Abdiwaahid Khalif Abdi, a Somali national with alleged ties to the terrorist group Al-Shabaab.
Abdiwaahid Khalif Abdi, also known as Ise Tarabuun, was arrested in 2017 in Mogadishu on terror claims. He was reportedly in charge of Al-Shabaab operations in the city before his arrest.
However, he was released in unclear circumstances and left Mogadishu via Salaam Airline, heading towards Nairobi. According to police reports, he was briefly interrogated at Mogadishu airport before being allowed to travel.
Police Spokesman Charles Owino has urged Abdi to report to the nearest police station immediately and warned anyone with information about his whereabouts to come forward.
The police operation comes amid heightened security in the country, with authorities warning Kenyans to be on alert at crowded places, especially malls.
It is unclear why the Somalia government did not alert Kenya on Abdi's travel plans, sparking concerns about potential security threats.
