More students join Al-Shabaab, says KDF

Chief of Kenya Defence Forces Samson Mwathethe has warned about an increase in the number of Kenyan students joining Al-Shabaab in Somalia.

“This means that all of us, especially parents, must take an active role and work with school administrators to ensure that our children are not radicalised and recruited into the group,” Gen Mwathethe said.

He said youth were easy prey because Al-Shabaab was using popular social media sites to lure them.

“As we fight terror, let us not forget that the evolution of social media as a result of technological advancements has posed new challenges,” the general added.

“Our children are exposed to messages loaded with extremist ideologies meant to radicalise their minds.”

Gen Mwathethe spoke during celebrations to mark KDF Day at Kahawa Garrison in Nairobi on Wednesday.

The day is observed across the country to remember those who have died in the war against Al-Shabaab in Somalia.

Gen Mwathethe led the celebrations in Nairobi, where he unveiled a monument inscribed with the names of the fallen soldiers.

He said: “Today, we remember colleagues who have paid the ultimate price for our motherland. We also promise Kenyans that before their lives are threatened, we shall put our lives on the line first.”

This marks the fourth anniversary since Kenya sent troops into Somalia to pursue the terrorist group.

The day is marked by all troops across the country. Kenyan forces entered Somalia in October 2011, the first combat deployment to a foreign country since independence.

The over 4,000 KDF soldiers now serve under the African Union Mission in Somalia.