80 cases on terrorism presented in court this year, says Muhoro

About 80 cases linked to terrorism have been presented in court this year, Director of Criminal Investigations Ndegwa Muhoro has said.

Speaking in Isiolo on Sunday, he said his department had also intercepted six youths within Garisssa, Daadab refugee camp and border points who were on their way to join Al-Shabaab in Somalia.

Mr Ndegwa who opened an Anti-Terror Police Unit (ATPU) office in Isiolo, aimed at intensifying war on terrorism in Upper Eastern region, said the government is set to open other branches in Moyale and Marsabit towns to counter terrorists and illegal immigrants from neighbouring countries.

According to him, terrorists were changing routes and using the Modagashe-GarbaTulla-Isiolo road after security was intensified along the Garissa- Nairobi highway.

“We want to make sure that all the areas used by terrorists are sealed off,” he said.

Mr Muhoro said although the ATPU is on the frontline against terrorism, an anti -radicalization strategy by government rolled out in the Coast region will be extended to Upper Eastern to curb the threat.

He called on parents, religious and political leaders to work with the government in dealing with radicalization and terrorism by monitoring activities of the youths.

Kenyans were also urged to report returnees and suspicious persons to authorities for monitoring.

“We have received intelligence that young people in this region have crossed to Somalia, we are tracking them down but even as they come back, they must disown the ways of terror groups and be integrated back into the society,” said Mr Muhoro.

The new office is also set to provide confidentiality for those giving information on extremist groups and to respond faster when attacks are reported.

Isiolo County Commissioner George Natembeya said over 20 youths have crossed borders and are suspected to have joined Al-Shabaab and other terror related groups like the Islamic State if Iraq and Syria (ISIS).