Kenya extends amnesty to youth who joined Al-Shabaab

The Kenyan government on Tuesday announced an amnesty for youth who joined Al-Shabaab to commit terrorist activities in the Horn and Eastern African region.

Joseph Nkaissery, the Cabinet Secretary for Internal Security said in a statement issued in Nairobi that Kenya will offer unconditional amnesty to youth who denounced association with Somalia based militant group Al-Shabaab.

"The government calls upon all individuals who had gone to Somalia for training and wish to disassociate themselves with terrorism to report to state offices in the next ten days. In return, we shall grant them amnesty and sound reintegration support," said Nkaissery.

Poor and disgruntled Kenyan youth who joined Al-Shabaab in recent years have carried out a spate of terrorist activities in Nairobi, the country's coast and northeastern region.

"Unsuspecting Kenyan youth have been lured to visit Somalia to receive militia training. This training has instilled murderous terrorist ideology that has led to senseless killing of innocent people," Nkaissery said.

He revealed that many Kenyan youth have died while fighting in Somalia while those who returned to the country are eager to disengage themselves from extremism.

"Some youth who have denounced Al-Shabaab's murderous ideology have sought refuge in neighboring countries. We have put mechanisms to rehabilitate youth who have been radicalized," he said.

He added that a de-radicalization program will be implemented by state agencies and community-based organizations to rescue youth brainwashed by extremists.

Meanwhile, the authorities also urged parents whose children have joined radical groups to report them or face legal consequences.

Kenya has intensified the war against terrorism following the Garissa University attack by Al-Shabaab on April 2 that led to the death of 148 people. Endi