For nearly two decades, Turkish investor Osman Erdinc Elsek has expanded his business footprint along Kenya’s Coast even as his stay in the country has been punctuated by recurring court battles.
Official records show that Elsek, currently under investigation over alleged terrorism financing, has lived in Kenya since December 2008, arriving as a foreign investor.
He gradually established himself along the Coast and settled in Kikambala, Kilifi County.
Through the Elsek Group Conglomerate, he oversees 18 companies registered in Kenya, operating in construction, real estate, hospitality, quarrying, transport, production and mortgage banking.
Two Turkish nationals Gokmen Sandikci (left) and Osman Erdinc Elsek, before the Mombasa court on January 14, 2026.
Photo credit: Brian Ocharo| Nation Media Group
According to the company’s profile, the businesses have undertaken projects across the country and in neighbouring East African states.
When he appeared in court last week after the State sought his detention to allow investigations into alleged terrorism financing, Elsek told the court that he owns property worth more than Sh6 billion, all invested in Kenya. He claimed that some powerful individuals are after him because they are unhappy with the scale of his investments.
Alongside commercial expansion, he told the court that his companies have carried out extensive Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives. These interventions, formally documented by the company, were presented in court as evidence of his commitment to Kenya and proof that he had no reason to flee the country.
Elsek’s stay in Kenya has been repeatedly disrupted by legal battles with the State, largely revolving around criminal cases that have placed him under scrutiny.
Despite his investments, business footprint and philanthropy, he holds Kenyan refugee status granted by the government.
His first run-in with the criminal justice system dates back to 2016, when he was charged in a Mombasa court with defrauding a Somalia-based construction company of Sh7.6 million.
Prosecutors alleged that he obtained the money by falsely claiming he would supply specialised construction machinery, including a brick-making machine and related equipment.
The firm, Kaamil Construction Company of Mogadishu, through its directors Yusuf Abdullahi Noor, met with Elsek in Somalia after he travelled to assess the project so that he could supply the equipment.
The evidence against the businessman in this case included copies of payment slips, copies of an invitation letter to Somalia, travel tickets and undertaking notes to refund the money, which he allegedly failed to honour.
The State also accused him of misuse of a firearm after allegedly threatening the complainants when they demanded a refund.
Elsek denied the allegations, maintaining that the equipment had been assembled at his Kikambala yard in preparation for collection upon completion of payment for the items, adding that the dispute was purely commercial.
The case was later withdrawn after the complainant informed the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions that the parties had settled the matter, leading to the termination of the case and Elsek’s acquittal.
Years later, Elsek again appeared before the courts, this time facing far graver accusations. He was charged with multiple sexual offences involving minors, with allegations that he sexually abused three children at his residence in Kikambala in 2018.
Turkish nationals Gokmen Sandikci (left) and Osman Erdinc Elsek before the Mombasa Law Court on January 14, 2026.
Photo credit: Brian Ocharo | Nation Media Group
Prosecutors claimed that he exploited his position and influence over the children and added charges of child prostitution and indecent acts.
The case was initially filed at the Shanzu court before being transferred to a magistrate’s court in Malindi. Elsek denied the allegations, describing the case as fabricated and malicious.
Through his lawyers, he argued that the accusations lacked evidential support and that the alleged victims had been coached to give false testimony.
As the trial progressed in Malindi, the prosecution’s case began to unravel. Key witnesses recanted their statements and were declared hostile, while significant gaps emerged in the investigation.
Then Elsek moved to the High Court, challenging the conduct of investigators and prosecutors. He argued that the case had no Occurrence Book number, meaning the alleged offences had never been formally reported at any police station, and that there was no identifiable complainant.
The prosecution conceded that the sexual allegations had not been recorded at a police station and that no Occurrence Book number would be produced.
The High Court in Malindi reviewed Elsek’s complaints against the State and intervened, ordering that the criminal case against the businessman start afresh. The court found that the initial proceedings were tainted by procedural irregularities, illegalities and indications of malice that could result in a miscarriage of justice to both the accused and the alleged victims.
The judge faulted the manner in which the case was initiated, the transfer between courts and the conduct of investigators and prosecutors. Althought the fresh trial proceeded before the Kilifi Magistrate’s Court, it was plagued by repeated adjournments before eventually collapsing after the State failed to prove its case.
In a related matter arising from the sexual offence allegations, prosecutors filed another criminal case in a Mombasa magistrate’s court, accusing Elsek and his manager, Shahame Mwidani, of conspiring to defeat justice by interfering with witnesses.
The State alleged that the two dissuaded key witnesses from testifying, thereby obstructing the course of justice. Both denied the accusations, insisting they had not interfered with any witnesses and that the charges were an extension of a flawed and malicious prosecution.
During the proceedings, the defence challenged the integrity of the investigations underpinning the witness interference charges.
He sought access to investigation reports and witness statements, arguing that material withheld by the prosecution would exonerate him. The court agreed and ordered the Directorate of Criminal Investigations and the investigating officers to supply all relevant statements and documents to the defence.
The witness interference case remains pending before the Mombasa magistrate’s court. Prosecutors allege that the interference occurred between September 1, 2021 and September 1, 2022 in Mombasa County.
He now faces his gravest challenge yet after police identified him as a person of interest in investigations into alleged terrorism financing. The Anti-Terrorism Police Unit told a Mombasa court that Elsek and his associate, Gokmen Sandikci, were arrested on January 13, 2026 following intelligence linking them to terrorism financing, an offence under the Prevention of Terrorism Act.
Investigators said they needed more time to analyse their financial and banking records, call data, identity documents and refugee status. Police also cited the recovery of a Glock pistol and ammunition from Sandikci and accused both men of misuse of a firearm.
They described them as flight risks with no known residence and sought their detention to complete investigations. Elsek has rejected the allegations, describing them as unfounded and politically motivated.
He said the matter arose from a traffic accident and a confrontation involving a political convoy, not terrorism. In a sworn affidavit, he argued that the terrorism claims contradicted police Occurrence Book records, which he said related to a traffic accident in which he was the victim.
He denied any links to terrorism financing, said his firearm was lawfully licensed and maintained that his detention was unnecessary. Despite his objections, the court allowed police to detain him for two weeks as investigations continue.
