Two Turkish nationals Gokmen Sandikci (left) and Osman Erdinc Elsek, before the Mombasa court on January 14, 2026.
What began as a road traffic accident on January 12 has escalated into a serious legal and security standoff, with a Turkish businessman now facing imminent threats of deportation, days after terrorism financing investigations were opened against him.
On the fateful night, the businessman Osman Erdinc Elsek and his associate Gokmen Sandikci say their vehicle was hit from behind by a car that was part of an ODM party leaders' entourage in Kilifi County.
At the time, the incident seemed like an ordinary accident, attracting little public attention beyond the usual police paperwork associated with traffic mishaps.
Within hours of the accident, the Anti-Terrorism Police Unit (ATPU) arraigned the duo in court, saying they were investigating them over suspected terrorism financing.
Also Read: Two Turkish nationals face terrorism charges after altercation with ODM politicians in Kilifi
Police sought 14 days to conclude their investigations, a request the magistrate’s court in Mombasa approved, noting that the detention was necessary in the interest of national security, given the nature of the offence under investigation.
The businessman then moved to the High Court, seeking a revision of the magistrate’s orders and requesting to be released on bail, arguing that police could still carry out investigations even if he was out on bond.
Deportation halted
Being a foreigner with refugee status and fearing deportation, Mr Elsek also asked the court to issue orders stopping the State from extraditing him to Turkey.
The High Court in Mombasa has since issued orders restraining the State from deporting the two men pending the outcome of investigations and legal proceedings.
“And upon further submissions by counsel, the respondents are temporarily restrained from deporting the two applicants pending the next court appearance or without a valid court order,” the court said in a ruling delivered on January 16.
However, the High Court declined the request for bail pending the outcome of investigations, finding that the two applicants had not approached the court with clean hands.
The court noted that while applying for bond, the two foreigners and their three lawyers were silent on the proceedings before the magistrate’s court, a move it described as an attempt to unfairly outsmart the prosecution.
Turkish nationals Gokmen Sandikci (left) and Osman Erdinc Elsek before the Mombasa Law Court on January 14, 2026.
“The review sought is not what was filed, and even though I looked at the file, the chalice was poisoned. The supervisory review of the lower court finds no illegality, impropriety, or procedural irregularity in the orders issued,” the court ruled.
As a result, Mr Elsek and his associate will remain in custody for the two weeks allowed for investigations, with the court directing that the billionaire should continue receiving medical treatment and may be examined at any hospital within Mombasa if the need arises.
Political?
While the State maintains that the arrest was based on credible intelligence relating to terror financing, Mr Elsek traces his troubles to a confrontation with politicians following the nighttime traffic accident involving a vehicle used by the leaders.
According to documents filed by the ATPU, the two men were arrested on January 13, 2026, in Mtwapa, Kilifi County, and later booked at Nyali Police Station. Police told the court they were treating Mr Elsek and Mr Sandikci as persons of interest in an ongoing terrorism financing investigation under Section 5 of the Prevention of Terrorism Act, 2012.
Two Turkish nationals Gokmen Sandikci (left) and Osman Erdinc Elsek, before the Mombasa court on January 14, 2026.
Mr Elsek gave the court a detailed account of the events on the night of January 12, saying he was lawfully driving from Vipingo towards Kikambala when a vehicle allegedly overtook him at high speed, struck his car, and fled the scene. He said he pursued the vehicle to seek an explanation, after which an altercation ensued when it stopped.
He claimed he was assaulted during the confrontation and later learned that one of the occupants of the vehicle involved was Wajir Governor Ahmed Abdullahi, travelling in a convoy that included several other vehicles.
He alleged that the incident involved senior politicians, a fact he said the prosecution was reluctant to disclose.
He further added that the initial report he was aware of related to threats to kill and an assault arising from a traffic accident.
Mr Elsek told the court that he was threatened with deportation during the altercation and accused authorities of fabricating terrorism allegations as an afterthought to justify his arrest and continued detention.
He also challenged investigators to specify which terrorist organisation he was allegedly financing and the nature of the terror activities involved, terming the accusations vague, malicious, and politically instigated.
He added that he is a duly licensed firearm holder and denied misusing the weapon, noting that verification of his licence lies with the Kenya Firearms Licensing Board.
