BBC Somali Service Editor Faces Arrested in Nairobi over Alleged Identification Document Fraud
Ongoing Investigation and Arrest of Muhaydin Ahmed Roble
Muhaydin Ahmed Roble, the editor of the BBC Somali Service, was arrested on Tuesday evening at his residence in Westlands, Nairobi, by detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigation, Garissa Today has learnt.
A police source also told a local media that his arrest came after he repeatedly refused to comply with procedural summons.
He has been under investigation for almost two years by a multi-agency task force for allegedly engaging in “fraudulent acquisition of Kenyan documents.”
After his arrest, Muhaydin spent Tuesday night at the Parklands police station. An officer, speaking on condition of anonymity, mentioned that he had evaded multiple arrest attempts, leading to the police raiding his home.
Muhaydin, a Somali national, allegedly obtained a Kenyan national ID card from Isiolo using fraudulent means.
He is scheduled to appear before the Makadara court on Friday morning to face charges, including forgery.
Authorities have confiscated his ID card and passport, placing him on a ‘red alert’ status.
This isn’t the first time he has faced legal issues; previously, he was arrested at the BBC offices in Westlands and later at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in 2022.
His arrest follows ongoing investigations into his Kenyan citizenship status since assuming the role of head of services in 2020.
The BBC Somali Service, a BBC World Service radio station broadcasted in the Somali language, is headquartered at Broadcasting House in West London and primarily operates from Nairobi, serving as the central hub for radio and digital operations.
Its audience predominantly resides in the Horn of Africa and surrounding areas.