Residents of Takaba in Mandera West sub county have been urged to help the national government in the fight against Alshabaab terror group by sharing information on suspected persons to security agencies.
Speaking at a public forum in the area, Northeastern Regional Commissioner Nicodemus Ndalana appealed to parents to keep in touch and know the whereabouts of their children who can be easily swayed into joining the militia group.
Ndalana revealed that Alshabaab crossed into new areas in Mandera early this year and might be planning to recruit young people.
He however warned that the government will not allow terrorists to spread tentacles in the region.
Led by Governor Ali Roba, local leaders said the terrorists are everyone’s enemy.
Roba cautioned locals against engaging terrorists in any kind of business including selling them foodstuffs or linking them to any specific group or clan in the county.
He said many Kenyans have now understood the Alshabaab ideology of dividing Kenyans along religious lines.
The peace meetings follow many consultative sessions by all elected leaders from Mandera County to address incidents of IED and gun attacks on all major roads leading to Mandera and cutting off public transport.
The leaders have clarified that recent attacks where by the Al-Shabaab militia and not fueled by inter clan animosities as reported in a section of the media.
Earlier this month, three people including two police officers were killed in a suspected al-Shabaab attack on buses and police escorts at Kormatto area, which is between Olla and Serman.
Other leaders present at the meeting included Cabinet Secretary for EAC and Regional Development Adan Mohammed, Senator Mahamud Mohamed, MPs; Kullow Maalim Hassan (Banisa) Hon. Adan Haji (Mandera west) Omar Maalim ( Mandera East) and Mandera Assembly speaker Mohamed Adan Khalif.