‘Over 100 youths from Othaya recruited to join al-Shabaab’

The government has warned Nyeri youths against joining proscribed terror groups such as al Shabaab.

Nyeri County Commissioner David Kipkemei said security agencies are aware of the recruitment of about 100 young men from Othaya to join the terror group.

Speaking in Othaya during the Madaraka celebrations, Kipkemei said the government is pursuing two men suspected to have been in Somalia for al-Shabaab training and recently returned to Nyeri to lead the illegal recruitment exercise.

"We are aware they are being recruited by people from other counties and we have all the names. The two men who returned from Somalia should be informed that they are on the governments' radar," he warned.

Recently, Nyeri County has been on the limelight for being a hide-out for terrorists with the some of the terrorist who carried the recent Dusit Hotel terror attack in Nairobi said to be born and bred in Majengo slums, Nyeri County.

The state official also warned over the re-emergence of the dreaded Mungiki sect in some parts of Nyeri County.

The gang which is known for extorting money and carrying out killings has resurfaced in Othaya.

 "We have information about the criminal gangs coming back to the county and we will not allow these dangerous sects to terrorise the people. There will be a serious nntelligence-led operation flush out members of the gang," said Kipkemei.

He urged locals to volunteer any information that would lead to revealing any plan to reintroduce the criminal gangs in the region.