Over the years, some Kenyan youth has been duped into believing al Shaabab’s ideology of fighting to defend Islam.
Those who crossed over to Somalia realised when it was too late that they had been hoodwinked and were being forced to fight for a cause they did not understand.
Sadly, the majority have perished on the battlefields, where they are used as cannon fodder during battles and attacks.
Others who survived the wrath of the terrorists tried to escape back to Kenya to reclaim their past lives but were arrested along the borders and are either in police custody or answering terror-related charges.
The few who manage to circumvent the police net live in isolation, hiding and nursing the battlefield trauma.
In several instances, authorities have intercepted some Kenyan youth on their way to join al Shaabab or Islamic State Islamists groups where upon interrogation have been incarcerated wasting their youthful years serving long sentences.
The case of Salim Rashid Mohammed popularly known as Chotara is a story of a bright youth who was exploited by terror networks.
Chotara excelled in his academic studies and was admitted to the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) to pursue a Bachelor of Science Degree in Computer Engineering.
However, he dropped out of the University in January 2016 and subsequently applied for a scholarship to study at Istanbul Kultur University, Turkey.
He traveled to Turkey on September 1, 2016, where he only studied for one semester, September to December 2016 before dropping out again in a quest to cross over to Syria to join the Islamist group, ISIS. The Turkish authorities deported them to Kenya.
Chotara tried to leave for the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) several times to join the DAESH Islamist group and when he finally succeeded, he got arrested and jailed in DRC where he is currently languishing in prison.
Similarly, 28-year-old Shida Jacob Msanzu was first arrested in 2017 by a multi-agency team in Kilifi County with terrorism-related charges, however, he was acquitted by the Malindi law courts for lack of enough evidence.
In 2022, he crossed to Tanzania with plans to cross to DRC to join the Islamist group DAESH. He was arrested in April 2023 in Tanzania and handed over to the Kenya authorities.
He was arraigned in Kahawa law courts and charged with terrorism-related offenses. The case is still ongoing.
These are just but two cases among many where the Islamist groups have been deceiving the youth and they end up being locked up in prisons to waste away.
Several factors have been linked to the reasons why youths are easily lured by these terror networks.
One of the reasons is corrupted ideology where new converts who lack a deeper understanding of the teachings of the Islamic faith are easily targeted.
They are also provided with radicalisation materials to convince them of the perceived grievances against Islam and persuade them to pursue armed warfare.
This is meant to avenge perceived atrocities against their fellow believers.
Secondly, the youth bulge amid few employment opportunities has pushed some youth into joining terrorist groups pursuing financial stability.
Terrorists prey on such youth and promise them good pay that will comfortably take care of them and their families.
Sadly, the harsh reality hits them once they join the militant groups and realise they were misled.
Cases have been reported of youth from stable backgrounds and with good education, being recruited into joining Islamist groups. This demystifies the assumption that it is poverty that is pushing the youth into joining the terror outfits.
These are youths who could be bored and are out seeking adventure, reenacting popular movie films, the thrill of combat and using firearms, prospects for fame and glory, respect, or a sense of belonging.
Additionally, those who already have family or social ties to existing networks in Islamist groups either through family or friends who have already joined.
Lastly, Kenyan youth’s vulnerability to recruitment is exacerbated by the country’s proximity to Jihad theaters such as Somali and the Democratic Republic of Congo as well as the relative ease of crossing borders.
To limit exposure of the youth to these vulnerabilities, there is a need for a concerted effort from the policymakers, security agencies, religious leaders and non-governmental organisations to filter radicalisation materials targeted towards the youth.
Moreover, the youth need to be encouraged to read and research widely on spiritual knowledge, and endeavor to have genuine spiritual mentors.
They should always be encouraged to question and report to authorities any ideologies that go against key teachings. Our youths ought to know that there is no monetary gain extended to those who join militant groups.
Once they are duped and fall into the trap they become front liners on the battlefield where they are compelled to attack their own people as a test of loyalty to the group. An idle mind is the devil’s workshop goes the adage.
Youths require to be fully engaged in constructive activities to keep them occupied and reduce their vulnerability to crime.
The Ministry Youth Affairs, Sports and Arts needs to come up with income-generating sporting activities for the youth such as sponsored tournaments for them to earn a living.
Also, the Ministry of Public Service, Youth and Gender could revive the Kazi Mtaani initiative to ensure the youth are engaged as well as earn an income.
Finally, other measures that need to be put in place to discourage the youth from crossing over to join the terror outfits include enhancing tighter border controls and surveillance as well as efficient tracking of people in transit.
In addition, all stakeholders involved in the fight against terror to increase awareness among the vulnerable populace to discourage them from joining the terror networks.
Jacob Orwoba is a communication expert with a bias in security matters