Wajir Governor Ahmed Abdullahi has raised the alarm regarding suspected recruitment of youths from Northern Kenya in militant groups.
The recruitment is allegedly being disguised as job opportunities in Syria, Israel and Russia while in reality the youths are lured to join militant groups such as al Shabaab and ISIS.
“We are asking our youths not to be cheated or hoodwinked with goodies that don't exist. We are pleading with them not to be radicalised into joining militant groups be it al Shabaab, ISIS or joining all manner of terrorist groups,” Abdullahi said.
“It is unfortunate that the youths from this region are being cheated that there are job opportunities to go and fight in Russia and Syria. We ask the parents to know where children are.”
Governor Abdullahi, who also serves as the vice chairperson of the Council of Governors, warned recruiters and radicalisers that the government is aware of their activities and will take decisive action against them.
“Don’t think that you will come to this region, recruit and radicalise our children into joining militia groups and you walk scout free. It will not be the case, the government shall deal decisively with such individuals,” he said.
The governor spoke on Saturday when he launched the first phase of Kazi Mtaani programme. Recruits will clean Wajir municipality, clear bushes and unclog drainages post-El Niño rains.
“We will employ our youths through Kazi Mtaani to address the aftermath of the El Niño rains, which have led to overgrowth of bushes and excessive plastic litter in town,” the governor stated.
Part of the clean-up effort includes collecting plastic waste which will be deposited at the site earmarked for construction of a recycling plant.
“We are setting up a plastic factory, which will be a recycling plant that will convert all the plastics into building and interlocking blocks and cabros for paving the roads,” Abdullahi said.
The emphasised the clean-up exercise is part of his administration's goal of making Wajir municipality plastic-free and improving sanitation to combat mosquito-borne diseases.
The cleanup, road clearing, and plastic collection will span 30 days, providing youth with employment and incentives while reducing crime.
The governor instructed the county sports department to expand youth programmes to ensure year-round engagement and support for participants.
“We believe it will keep a lot of young men and young ladies off trouble as they will be kept busy and allow them to earn incentives in a proper manner,” he said.
The Kazi Mtaani programme will be devolved to subcounty headquarters.
To deter youths from extremist groups, the county will sponsor sports activities, provide uniforms, equipment and prize money.
“This initiative aims to keep our youths occupied in constructive activities, preventing them from falling prey to radicalisation,” the governor said.
