Kenya offers amnesty to youths wanting to leave Al-Shabaab

All individuals who have gone to train with al-Shabaab and wish to disassociate themselves with the group have been directed to report to the government within ten days in return for amnesty and reintegration.
In a statement on Tuesday, Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph Nkaissery said that the youths can report to County Commissioners offices in Nairobi, Mombasa and Garissa for further instruction.
They can also contact the government confidentially through 0701632432, 0701632643, 0701632443 or [email protected]
Nkaissery said youths who fail to report to the government within the given period “will be treated as criminals living in our midst and will face the full force of the law,”
Parents or guardians whose child has gone missing and they suspect has been radicalised or might have been killed in Somalia should also report to the government.
“Failure to report will lead to presumption that they are aware and condone or are party to the terrorist training with attendant criminal consequences,” Nkaissery warned.
Nkaissery said the government has put in place a measures to rehabilitate youth who have been radicalized and those who are vulnerable to exploitation and radicalization.
He said the measures include a de-radicalization programme and working with relevant government ministries and department to provide training and alternative source of livelihood for the youths.
“Over the past few years, a number of unsuspecting Kenyan youths have been lured into travelling to Somalia for purposes of receiving militia training. The training is aimed at, among other things, instilling murderous terrorist ideology targeting fellow Kenyans and has led to senseless killing and maiming of innocent citizens,” Nkaissery said
“We are aware that some of the youth were recruited by cunning individuals some of whom are terrorists masquerading as religious leaders,” he added.
He said that while a number of these youth have been killed in Somalia others have returned to the country and are eager to disassociate themselves with the ideologies of al Shabaab. He said some of the youth have sought refuge in neighbouring countries such as Uganda for fear of reprisals from the terror group.
Source: the-star.co.ke