Al Shabaab militants are recruiting foreigners from neighbouring countries, as fewer Kenyans are joining, security officials have said.
Two Tanzanians were arrested in Garissa last Wednesday, while on their way to join the al Shabaab terror group in Somalia.
It was the third such arrest of foreign would-be recruits in a month
Security officials said the number of Kenyans flocking to Somalia has declined after they realised they were being duped with promises of glory, money and family support.
Officials said Tanzanians Abdirahman Shaffi Mkwatili, 25, and Sadam Jafari Kitia, 30, were arrested on July 12. They had a notebook with directions in Swahili on how to travel from Tanzania to Jilib in Somalia.
They were arrested in Korakora area, police involved in the operation said.
The suspects said they were heading to Somalia to join al Shabaab after being recruited and facilitated by their handlers in Tanzania, police said.
Police said they have noted the trend of expanding regional recruitment as more non-Kenyans are travelling to join either al Shabaab or Daesh. They are provided with travel arrangements avoid communications, especially telecommunications, while on the way or asking people about the route to avoid raising suspicion.
Police sources said the latest arrests came two weeks after three other Tanzanians — Abdul Saif Salimu, Zuberi Ngare Mtondoo and Seif Abdalla Juma — were intercepted in the same area following a report by members of the public.
A Ugandan national was also recently arrested in Liboi on his way to Somalia. Police said this was made possible by the collaboration between security agencies and the community.
“We think they are now targeting Tanzanians, Ugandans and others. Kenyans are avoiding joining them and those who do come back say things are thick there,” a senior security official said.
Source: The Star
