Nairobi Businesses Owned by Al Shabaab Commander Revealed

Security agents are said to be investigating reports indicating that a prominent Al Shabaab Commander has been running multi-million businesses in Nairobi.

Ahmed Iman Ali reportedly owns several businesses in Gikomba and Majengo, from which part of the proceeds to finance the terrorist group are generated.

Police reports disclosed that Iman, a Jomo Kenyatta University Engineering graduate, owns a go-down, boutiques and stalls dealing in second-hand shoes and clothes in the busy markets.

He is also said to own a nursery school, all which he operates through Al Shabaab sympathisers.

One of the shopping malls located in the area is said to generate monthly proceeds of up to Sh350,000 which are sent to the Commander.

Iman has also been reportedly renting out open stalls, which he owns near Pumwani, to clothes and shoe dealers. From these structures, his proxies collect Sh150,000 every month which is remitted to the terror group through informal money transfer services.

“Iman owns and receives funds collected from at least 10 stalls. The proceeds from the stalls make his stay in Somalia comfortable and partly facilitate his propaganda video releases,” the security report was quoted by the Nation.

Presently, Iman is said to be the leader of the Kenyan militants in Somalia and is the head of video production for Al Shabaab.

In addition to helping collect revenues from the market stalls, local terrorists also participate in selling of merchandise to add on to the funds remitted to the Somalia-based group.

According to authorities, the money collected from the businesses is used for training, recruiting and logistics on terror activities in Kenya and Somalia.