Kenya vows to stamp out extremism in coast region

The Kenyan government has vowed to mobilize more resources to eliminate extremism and its attendance ills from the coast region and elsewhere in the country.

Deputy President William Ruto expressed confidence that the department of strategic initiative formed by the government and mentioned by President Uhuru Kenyatta in his State of the nation address on Thursday would address issues of extremism and radicalization of youth in the coast region.

"We believe that with the necessary resources the department will deal with and eliminate the recruitment of youth into extremism and radicalization by gangs in this region," Ruto said late Friday in Mombasa.

Ruto said the department would be provided with adequate resources to address the challenges of recruitment of youth into extremist organizations in the coast region and also deal with cattle rustling in other parts of the country.

Kenya's intelligence sources indicate that the security has been activated along the borders and internally to avert any possible attacks by the militant in the country.

Government officials said security agencies have been directed to take extra security measures, including increased patrols and intensified access control at public places.

On the public apology made by the president, Ruto said it was a rallying call to all Kenyans not be held back by the dark history of the country, adding Kenyans should build bridges and move together as one people.

Emphasizing that all Kenyans should walk this path, the Deputy President urged Kenyans to forgive each other for any wrongs that might have been done to them.

"We would like to see pastoralists working with farmers, Muslims with Christians, this tribe and that tribe so that we can bring to an end the unfortunate part of our history," he said. Endi