Police officers in Isiolo have appealed to the youth to provide crucial information that could lead to the arrest of criminals, prevention of crime and radicalization.
While marking the International Day for the prevention of violent extremism at the Isiolo police grounds, officers noted that sharing information will help tackle radicalization and drug trafficking, both of which have severely impacted the youth in the area.
The officers from the Peace Corps department, led by Inspector Julius Mutabari and Harriet Mungai, who also engaged in team-building sporting activities with local youth, reassured the public that all information shared with the police would remain confidential.
Religious leaders, led by Isiolo Interfaith Chairperson Sheikh Ahmed Set and Secretary Bishop Stephen Kalunyu, commended the government for lifting the vetting requirement for identity card seekers, a practice that had long been a tradition for youths from the North Eastern region.
Sheikh Ahmed said that the practice had deprived many youths in the region of their right to Kenyan citizenship, which led some to engage in terrorism and other criminal activities.
He also called for all secondary school leavers, regardless of their region, to be granted Kenyan citizenship without facing a vetting process and urged that the issue should not be politicized.
According to the Programs Manager for Regional Pastoralists’ Peacelink Luqman Ahmed, surveys conducted in North Eastern counties, revealed that many youths had been radicalized due to the government’s denial of ID cards.
He also pointed to the rising problem of drug and substance abuse in Isiolo and urged young people to reject the practices and report vital information to the authorities.
Isiolo Interfaith Network Secretary Bishop Stephen Kalunyu stressed the need for all religious leaders to remain vigilant to identify culprits who could use religion as a tool to radicalize the youth.
