Monday, September 09, 2013
Police in Laikipia County have arrested a man suspected to be recruiting youth to join Somalia's militant group Al Shabaab.
The suspect was arrested on Sunday night at Matwiku location, Ng’arua division in Nyahururu.
An accomplice is said to have escaped during the operation.
A
security team led by area District Officer Rufus Kihara and police boss
Mohammed Ali Riziki raided Matwiku village following a tip-off from
members of the public and arrested the suspect.
Several
military jungle uniforms two of them resembling British Army combat
gear, another similar to the Somali Army uniform, a red beret, a
necklace with a medallion, a mobile phone and several Identity Cards
were found during the raid.
Mr Riziki said the members
of the public had reported that there was a suspicious character in the
area who was a threat to the local community.
The man, aged 20, was said to be bragging that he was from Somalia and on a mission and feared no one.
Upon
interrogations, the suspect revealed that he has visited several towns
in Somalia among them Bula Hawa, Baidoa and Doro-which are suspected to
be some of the areas occupied by the Al Shabaab militia.
The
police boss said the suspect could be on a mission to recruit more
unsuspecting youths to join the militia group after promising them
better jobs in Somalia.