Kenya warned against courting militia

Kenya could be sucked into the Somalia conflict unless the recruitment of youths to take part in the war stops, analysts have warned.Rashid Abdi, the Horn of Africa analyst for the International Crisis Group, told the Sunday Nation that the drive to prop up the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) in Mogadishu risks destabilising the North Eastern Province which has enjoyed relative peace for the past 15 years.Al Shabaab militants, who some say have links with international terrorist groups, last week threatened they would hit targets in Kenya unless the government stops supporting the TFG. A parliamentary team has been set up to investigate reports that Kenyan youths are being recruited to fight against the Islamist militia.
On Saturday, members of the Defence committee visited the Manyani training camp at the Coast where it has been reported that the youth are receiving training before being dispatched to Somalia. “There appears to have been a major security breach that has occurred on Kenyan soil,” said committee chairman Adan Keynan.The MP for Wajir West said they had received credible reports that up to 48 youths who had been in the camp were moved out on Friday night in anticipation of the committee’s visit.“It is becoming clear that Kenya has taken sides in this war, which is very serious for us because we are a frontline state and share a long and porous border with Somalia,” he said. He declined to disclose preliminary findings of the investigations due to parliamentary rules that forbid divulging such information before it has been tabled in the House.300 youthsThe Nation reported on October 7 that up to 300 youths had been recruited from Garissa to take part in the war in Somalia. The story was based on witness accounts from family members and local leaders.Garissa mayor Mohamed Gabow said he had personally seen recruiters at work. “It has been going on. The boys who have been recruited have talked to us. They say they have been promised a $600 (Sh44,000) monthly salary,” Mr Gabow said. He claimed that those carrying out the recruitment were senior Kenyan military officers, adding that the hiring was done under the cover of darkness........To read the rest of the piece..more..http://www.nation.co.ke/News/-/1056/686426/-/uookvv/-/