Kenyan officials vow to continue war against Al-shabaab in the North-Eastern region

GOOBJOOG NEWS | WAJIR: Kenyan officials have vowed to continue its war against Al-shabaab in the country’s North-Eastern region.

Lamu East MP Ruwida Oddo while addressing journalists in Wajir said the group has constantly disrupted normal lives of the residents by targeting public transport vehicles and teachers, especially those considered non-locals.

The MP spoke during a security meeting attended by Wajir, Mandera and Garissa county governors and security officials led by North Eastern regional commissioner John Otieno.

The leaders resolved to combine political and security strategies to ensure residents do not harbour any sympathy for the outfit.

Obbo said teachers have to get a security escort to go to work.

This affects schooling, which makes young men vulnerable for recruitment into the terror group, the legislator added.

Recruitment of locals is also a headache in Northeastern, the leaders said.

They urged the state to revamp investment in the region to ensure unemployed youth do not become easy prey for the group.

“The group has a field day in luring the despondent youth into its ranks or as sympathisers,” Wajir Governor Ahmed Abdullahi said.

He added, “Our people must be told that al Shabaab are not our people, they are not fighting for Islam. They are injuring us and we must not accept anything from them.”

Additional reporting by agencies.