Kenyans arrested for enlisting in Somali National Army

NAIROBI, Kenya - Authorities have arrested two Kenyans who crossed over to the neighbouring Somalia and enlisted with the Somali National Army (SNA) following an operation at El-Wak, a border town along the Kenya-Somalia border within Mandera County.

Investigations done by the police indicated that the two men who are linked to a series of robbery incidents in the county were arrested following a tip from members of the public who have been monitoring their activities for a while.

After intensive investigations, it was established that the two citizens had opted to join the Somali National Army (SNA) and were aged 23 and 32, police said. Both were arrested at Soko ya Roba after locals reported they were behind robberies in the area.

The operation led to the recovery of an AK-47 rifle with three empty magazines while one of the rifles was loaded with 27 bullets, police said. And now, shall face charges of robbery with violence and foreign enlistment contrary to Section 68 of the Penal Code.

Such enlistment is common in the region, with many unaware of its legal consequences. Some returnees get involved in crime and inter-clan clashes, security officers said, while discouraging locals from renouncing their citizenship.

Police link this to the continued instability in Somalia, which has enabled al-Shabaab terrorists to sustain attacks in Somalia and parts of Kenya. The group crosses from Somalia through the porous border to stage attacks, disrupting normal life in the region, Citizen TV reports.

Kenya has responded by deploying more officers and technology to curb the threat. Locals have been encouraged to work with multi-agency security teams deployed along the Kenya-Somalia border.

GAROWE ONLINE