By Dorothy Musyoka
In a landmark ruling yesterday, the Busia court handed a 30-year prison sentence to terror suspect Jackton Jacob Kanoti, also known as Abdul Hakim, after a protracted two-and-a-half-year trial.
The trial, which began on December 18, 2021, culminated in a decisive judgement based on compelling evidence presented by the prosecution.
Kanoti was arrested in Siaya township for his affiliations with Al-Shabaab and the Islamic State of Iraq.
Kanoti was apprehended in Siaya township, where authorities discovered incriminating materials linking him to terrorist activities.
He was found to have associations with the notorious Al-Shabaab and the Islamic State of Iraq (ISI) terror groups.
“The terrorist, Jackton Jacob Kanoti alias Abdul Hakim, was arrested in Siaya township for his involvement with the Al-Shabaab and the Islamic State of Iraq terror groups,” said the detectives.
The court, in its detailed judgement, determined that the evidence against Kanoti was credible and consistent, leaving no room for reasonable doubt.
This included the digital footprints and communications that illustrated his involvement in terror-related activities.
At the time of his arrest, Jackton was found with incriminating materials related to terrorist acts, as well as a mobile phone through which he accessed terrorism-related information via videos and chats from various telegram groups.
“At the time of his arrest, authorities discovered incriminating materials and a mobile phone containing terrorism-related videos and chats from various Telegram groups,” DCI added.
The court, after careful consideration of the evidence presented by the prosecution, found the evidence to be credible and consistent, leading to Kanoti’s conviction.
The suspect will serve 30 years in prison.
Kanoti’s conviction acts as a reminder of the relentless pursuit of justice against those who engage in terrorism, reaffirming the nation’s dedication to upholding the rule of law and protecting its people from acts of terror.