Mystery of 4 missing newly-wed women

Security authorities in Malindi say four women, who secretly married suspected terrorists, have disappeared from the town.

The unnamed women are among 10 youths who intelligence and security officials allege have suddenly disappeared from Watamu and Malindi towns in recent weeks.

Speaking to the Press yesterday, Deputy Sub-county Commissioner Gideon Ombongi claimed terrorist groups are now using the tactic of marriage to lure away young women in order to gain influence among local muslims and radical islamists.

Suicide bombers

He said the Government suspects a former civic leader in Malindi is behind recent recruitments to terrorist groups.

The official also said Government suspects women who disappear after such marriages might be undergoing training to become suicide bombers.

The Standard could not independently confirm these claims, but Mr Ombongi further alleged that one family in Malindi has said a young man who was lured into Al-Shabaab has been calling, pleading to come back home.