Two foreigners, Abdirahman Shaffi Mkwatili and Sadam Jafari Kitia, were arrested by Kenyan security agencies in Garissa on Wednesday, July 12. The individuals, both Tanzanians, were apprehended while on their way to join the al-Shabaab terrorist group in Somalia.
The suspects were found in possession of a notebook written in Swahili. The notebook contained instructions guiding their movement from Tanzania to Jilib. Jilib is a city in Middle Jubba Region in Somalia, 112 Kilometres north of Kismayu.
According to the police, the arrested individuals confessed that they had been recruited and facilitated by handlers in Tanzania. They further said they were en route to Somalia to join Al-Shabaab.
The police have observed a trend where recruits traveling to join Al-Shabaab are provided with travel arrangements that avoid raising suspicion. The arrangements include as avoiding communication and inquiring about routes.
These arrests come two weeks after three other Tanzanians, Abdul Saif Salimu, Zuberi Ngare Mtondoo, and Seif Abdalla Juma, were arrested in the same area. The arrest followed reports from the public.
Additionally, a Ugandan national was recently apprehended in Liboi while on his way to Somalia. The collaboration between security agencies and the community has been instrumental in these arrests.
The security agencies have urged Public Vehicle operators to remain vigilant and share any information regarding the movement of suspicious foreigners. Their efforts to combat terrorism continue to frustrate the recruitment and facilitation of individuals destined to join al-Shabaab in Somalia.
The arrests come at a time when police have increased vigilance in the border towns of Kenya. This is after the terror group increased attacks targeting security agencies in Garissa and Mandera. There have also been attacks targeting communities in Lamu county with the most horrifying being an incident where the militants beheaded five men, including a teenage boy.
The government of Kenya has meanwhile allocated 20 billion shillings to purchase advanced security equipment. This includes armored personnel carriers, drones, and other gadgets, to enhance the capability of security agencies in combating terrorism.
