The legacy of Kenya’s involvement in Somalia includes unresolved concerns over extremist networks within its own borders. Sheikh Hassaan Mahat Omar, also known as Abu Salmaan, a controversial Kenyan-Somali cleric from Garissa County, has long been accused of fundraising and recruiting for Al-Shabaab. Despite being placed on the UN sanctions list in 2011 and arrested multiple times, he has repeatedly been released without explanation, fueling speculation about protection from powerful political allies. Hassaan, who has preached at the Al-Shabaab-affiliated Masjid-ul-Axmar in Eastleigh, reportedly organised a 2017 fundraising event in collaboration with prominent Somali businessmen, raising $175,000 for Al-Shabaab. Investigations suggest extremist financing channels may be reinvesting into Kenyan businesses, particularly within Eastleigh’s influential commercial networks. This controversy intersects with Kenya’s political landscape, where Somali votes have become strategically important. Senior Kenyan-Somali politicians, some linked to influential families, wield significant sway. Analysts warn of a deepening symbiosis between Salafi clerics, political actors, and business networks, creating blind spots in counterterrorism efforts.