The Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) have rescued thirteen youth who had been recruited to join the al-Qaeda affiliated al Shabaab based in neighboring Somalia. The rescued individuals are said to be aged between 18 and 38 years and were recruited from Magarini in Kilifi county.
Parents of the recruits are said to have reported the movement of the youths to the police who tracked and rescued them at Ras Kamboni in Somalia. They were reportedly lured by a Mohamed Ali – a resident of Marereni, that there was a job in the neighboring country.
The movement of the returnees was traced from their point of origin in Kilifi to a boat that transported them to Somalia where they were to engage in fishing only to travel further into Somalia to join an al Shabaab training camp.
The youths were on Monday flown to Malindi, Kilifi County, from Kiunga where they were received by Malindi OCPD. They are scheduled to be examined to determine the kind of help they require following their month-long stay in Somalia before they are reintegrated into the society and with their families.
Security agencies have commended the bravery and cooperation of the families who reported the recruitment and urged other members of the public to remain vigilant and report cases like those to ensure that vulnerable youth are not lured to join the al Shabaab.
