The government has given a ten day ultimatum to youth who have been radicalized and would like to disassociate themselves with extremism to do so failure to which they will be dealt with accordingly.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph Nkaissery said that the government will allow youth who have already been undergoing training in Somalia to voluntarily come forward and report to the relevant authorities within the stated period.
“The Government hereby calls upon all individuals who had gone to Somalia for training and wish to disassociate themselves with terrorism to report to the National Government offices within the next ten (10) days,” said Nkaissery in a statement.
The CS further called on “parents or guardians whose child has either gone missing, suspects that the child has been radicalized, or suspects the child to have been killed in Somalia to report the same”.
“Failure to report will lead to presumption that they are aware and condone or are party to the terrorist training with attendant criminal consequences,” he added.
He said that those willing to come forward and report to authorities must do so to the Nairobi, Mombasa and Garissa County Commissioners offices from where they will be given further directions.
He noted that the government, in return to their willingness to report to the said offices will consider granting amnesty and appropriate reintegration support.
He, however, noted that those who fail to heed this call within the prescribed time frame will be treated as criminals and will face the full force of the law.