Ali Salim Gichunge was among the four terrorists who were seen on CCTV camera and killed innocent civilians in cold blood at Dusit D2 hotel located along 14 Riverside Drive, in Nairobi’s Westland area.
Police moved so fast and crashed down the terrorists before they could harm more innocents with their coward acts.
Already, we have compiled some facts about of the terror suspect Ali Salim Gichunge.
- He was born as Ali Salim Gichunge before he renamed himself to Farouk, probably to conceal his identity. He was born and raised in Kulamawe, Bulapesa ward of Isiolo county.
- His father ( Ali Gichunge, a KDF sergeant ) hailed from Isiolo while his mother Salma Gichunge came from Majengo in Nyeri.
- He went to Hekima Primary School in Isiolo where he was described as God fearing and a very bright student
- He would later join Kibirichia high school, where he studied his O level education
- His friends noted that he was a strong believer in muslim religion who never missed madrassa sessions, he also wanted to become an engineer in future.
- After KCSE exams at Isiolo Barracks High School in 2011, he went to stay with grandparents in Majengo slums, Nyeri town. His dad noted that he failed to attain university grades
- At the slums, he did menial jobs such as selling Miraa and other related drugs
- Neigbours recorded that Farouk was a wanted thug who was among a gang that was stealing valuables such as phones from Nyeri residents
- Farouk left Nyeri for Mombasa where he planned to be a teacher at one of the Mosques in Majengo area
- His dad, A KDF reported that he lost contact with his son in 2015, and never knew his whereabouts
- Father claimed that his move to Mombasa to serve as a teacher in madrassas would have been a trigger to his radicalization.
- Farouk and his Al Shaabab bride Violet Kemunto Omwoyo are said to have married before settling down as a couple and lived in Ruaka, Kiambu county.
