Interior PS Kibicho urges Isiolo residents to help fight radicalization

Interior Principal Secretary Karanja Kibicho at a past event. FILE PHOTO | WACHIRA MWANGI | NATION MEDIA GROUP

Interior Principal Secretary Karanja Kibicho has urged communities in Isiolo County to partner with security agencies to fight radicalisation.

Mr Kibicho said young people from the county continue to be recruited to join terror groups.

He requested locals to partner with security agencies by providing information on recruiters and suspects for investigations and arrest.

“[The] radicalisation issue will be a blow to Isiolo’s poised status as a key town in the country,” he said.

The PS spoke on Thursday during a public consultation forum on projects to be funded through the Equalization Fund.

Isiolo has been identified as a recruiting ground for Al-Shabaab.

According to police reports, more than 20 youths have reportedly disappeared and are suspected to have crossed into Somalia to join Al-Shabaab.

Some suspected recruiters have been arrested and prosecuted while some of the youth who had crossed to join the terror group have returned.

Mr Kibicho also said the government has increased surveillance by providing recorders to security officials to monitor cases of hate speech by politicians that can lead to violence.