Hundreds of Kenyan youth who joined Al shabaab Flee from Somalia

Hundreds of youths returning from Somalia faces prosecution and death treats from Al Shabaab (Courtesy)

By: Abdirahman Khalif

NAIROBI—Hundreds of youth who are returning back from Al Shabaab are facing difficulties in surrendering to the security officials for fear of being jailed despite running away from death in Somalia.

Most of this youth say they have run away from harsh environment in the hands of Al Shabaab after discovering the good life they were promised was hot air and falling out with the terrorist commanders who suspected them of being Kenyan spies.

The de-radicalized returnees fear victimization and said most of their colleagues were killed in Lamu, Kwale and Lamu counties by Al Shabaab officials or Kenyan security officials.

“This youths returned from Somalia following the government’s amnesty issued in 2015, some of them have successfully integrated with the society,” a security official who sought anonymity told Kulan post.

Sources indicate that more than 150 Al Shabaab returnees came back at the Coast Counties by  May last year.

“Kwale leads in the whole region and they are the same people who have been carrying out attacks targeting police officers,” revealed the source.

Out going police commander in the Coast, Mr Kieng  said they have been working closely with the locals to try and get information on the suspects who have not shown interest in government’s amnesty.

“There are those returnees  who do not want to take advantage of the amnesty and those are the ones we want to deal with. We believe they are part of those terrorising people in the county,” said Mr Kieng.

Mombasa County commander Johnstone Ipara urged the returnees to surrender to the government to be rehabilitated and live a normal life.