Five Al Shabaab suspects were on Tuesday arrested in Komarock and Kayole estates, Nairobi, while reportedly carrying out a youth recruitment exercise to join the militia group in Somalia.
The suspects, three of whom are of Somali origin and two Kenyans, were caught in action bargaining on the amount they would be paid for the largest sign up.
According to police in Embakasi, the five were recruiting youth who were incognisant of the type of job they were signing for, while the agents claimed that they were offering them job opportunities in Somalia.
“My officers followed them and confirmed that the group was truly bargaining on how they will employ and transport the youths to Somalia and if they come today and find the youths ready the old man alone will be paid Sh87,000 instead of Sh47,000 as they had discussed earlier,” said a police boss.
The recruitment mission was thwarted when residents informed the police who later arrested the suspects currently detained at Kayole police station.
The arrest comes in the wake of an incident in Mandera County where police impounded trucks belonging to a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) for allegedly supplying food to Al Shabaab militants.
The three trucks belonging to World Food Programme (WFP) were detained on their way to Dholo, Somalia, after they were suspected of carrying logistical equipment and food meant for the militia group.
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