A young man reportedly presented himself to Kamukunji Police Post claiming to be a former Alshabaab recruit.

John Muimi allegedly from Samburu narrated to police how he got recruited in June 2019, and taken to Likoni in Mombasa in Nivember 2019.

The latter was taken to Mandera and later to Somalia, where he was trained briefly before being forced to take an oath. During then, Muimi was in with six others, whom they trained for like a month, before he sneaked back into the country through Kitui to Thika on January 6.

Police sources indicate that Muimi had two phones and clothes. He was taken to Anti-Terror Unit for further questioning. “We do not know if he is lying or it is true. We will know with time,” an officer aware of the occurrence told the Standard.

Radicalization and terror recruitment cases were reportedly rampant in Nairobi, Isiolo, Kwale and Mombasa slums. Those targeted were lured with money and training only to end up being trained as terrorists.

It is unclear how many youths are currently recruits as others die during attacks by other agencies, or the terror group itself. President Kenyatta called upon security agencies to increase public awareness concerning the terror group.

“This needs to be sustained this year. In addition to you doing more to make communities feel safe from terrorist intimidation. This sense of safety and freedom from intimidation or retaliation from the terrorist elements will encourage even more people to speak up and resist the tactics of terrorists,” said president Kenyatta.

Credit : Hivasa