Alert over extremism as wanted thug is arrested in Kilifi

Police guard a survivor of a terror attack in the past. Authorities are warning of increased radicalisation in Kilifi County. [PHOTO: FILE/STANDARD]

Security authorities in Kilifi now claim Islamic radicalisation and recruitment to Al Shabaab is thriving in seven major towns in the county.

Kilifi County Commissioner Joseph Keter announced in Malindi yesterday that there were intelligence reports that extremism training and recruitment was going on in Kilifi, Malindi, Mamburui, Tezo, Kaloleni, Ganze and Mtwapa.

Mr Keter said authorities are also monitoring two mosques and several Islamic schools. One of the mosques is located in Kilifi town and another in Mtwapa while the Islamic schools are in Tezo and Mamburui.

Keter also said police have received names of youths from the county who have fled to join terrorist organisations in Somalia.

One of the youths, Keter said, was, until recently, a driver at the Kilifi County government and the State was also monitoring reports that several youths trained in Somalia have recently returned to Kenya.

TEACHING KISWAHILI

"We know the youths who left to Somalia and recently a number of them returned and we are closely monitoring their movements," he said.

The county commissioner told such youths should surrender during the amnesty period announced by the Government after the April 2 terror attack in Garissa.

Keter also announced that police are questioning two Kenyans found giving Kiswahili language lessons to ethnic Somalis from Somalia.

"Our officers caught two Kenyans teaching some Somali nationals how to speak in Kiswahili," he said. Sources told The Standard the Kenyans who were arrested in Kilifi town have been handed to anti-terrorist police.

Meanwhile, police in Taita Taveta have arrested a man they describe as one of the most wanted criminals.

Taita Taveta County Police Commander Richard Bitonga said raided a popular entertainment joint in Voi town at night and arrested Christopher Bilal Sabaya as he was enjoying himself.

According to the police, Mr Sabaya and his gang operate a criminal enterprise in Mombasa, Kilifi, Kajiado and Taita-Taveta counties.

Mr Bitonga claimed the suspect and his accomplices robbed restaurants in Taveta town last week. The man, Bitonga said, also committed armed robberies in Loitokitok where he is said to have injured someone.

The police boss said after the arrest, the suspect was driven to his house in the fast growing Mazeras estate in the outskirts of Voi town where they recovered a Ceska pistol and 12 bullets.

A witness said the suspect was dramatically arrested while drinking and watching an English Premier League match in the town.

"A top detective who was inside the club identified him from photos that had been circulated by police. The detective alerted his colleagues who came and promptly arrested him," said one of the police officers who was at the scene.

Bitonga said the suspect's wife and an accomplice who is a boda boda operator in the town were also arrested.

"The man is  a ringleader of a gang that has been robbing and terrorising residents in the county and neighbouring counties of Kilifi, Kajiado and Mombasa. The arrest is a major breakthrough in the fight against crime in the area," said Bitonga, adding that the 35-year–old is being questioned by detectives with the view to arresting more of his accomplices.

STEAL MONEY

Residents have been complaining of a gang that has been raiding government offices, staff quarters and residential areas to steal money, electronic equipment among other valuables.

"From the look of things, insecurity has become a major concern and police should intensify security patrols to save lives and property," said Taita Sub-County Education Officer Samuel Nyantika.

"The spate of crime in the area is scaring us and police should do something," said Mr Nyantika.