Saturday, November 12, 2011
Police spokesman Eric Kiraithe says the 30 youths including Somali nationals living in Kenya are working with the police adding that most of them have given useful information regarding the activities of the terror group.
Speaking Saturday during a press briefing on the status of the ongoing military operation in Somalia, Kiraithe said Al Shabaab militia is losing foothold in Kenya at a ‘very fast rate but cautioned Kenyans to be vigilant.
"Many are responding well to the amnesty. A lot of young men from this country and Somalia are working with us to secure this country and we are working with quite a number of them regarding the militia. Of course we cannot share details whatsoever about them", he said.
Muslim backing
Meanwhile, Kenya is now seeking the backing of Muslim nations including Turkey and Iran in its ongoing military crackdown against Somalia militia group, Al-Shabaab .
Armed Forces Colonel Cyrus Oguna at the same time appealed for humanitarian assistance to help Somali people.
"Kenya welcomes any kind of support such as medicine, food aid, clothing, Korans anything which will go to the Somali people".
He said Kenyan troops in Somalia have been providing food and medical care to residents.
Lindsay Kitpiness an Assistant Director in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Kenya has already secured regional support of the East African Community and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD).
Kitpiness said Kenya will next week be asking the UN Security Council to enhance the African Mission in Somalia (Amisom) so that they move to other regions of the war-torn country.
He said the Security Council is scheduled to meet next week in New York to discuss the allegations that Eritrea was supplying the Al Shabaab with weapons.
Col. Oguna said the 'Operation Linda Nchi' was so far successful adding the Kenya Defense Forces were still continuing with the door-to-door operation to flush out the Al-Shabaab remnants who were hiding among the civilians.
Asked about the number of casualties so far, the military officer said the war had claimed five soldiers and several others injured while the Al shabaab casualties ran into hundreds.
" Every war has casualties so Kenya has to be prepared to lose some people. So far five Kenyan soldiers have died and a couple injured. Al Shabaab's casualties ran into hundreds" he told journalists.
He said they have not been able to impose the no fly zone since the move required consultation with key players but assured that the soldiers were in control and would secure the Kenya air space zone