The Kenyan Government on Saturday launched a peace and security awareness campaign in North Eastern Province in response to the on-going conflict in Somalia.
The campaign launched by Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka in Garissa will involve sensitising the public on undue influence from Somali militia.
The Government is seeking to ensure that the Al Shabab, believed to be linked to Al Qaeda, does not cross into the country or recruit from the communities living in the northern frontier.
The campaign, which kicked off during a leaders meeting at the Garissa Government Guest House, will cover all districts in the province and is to be conducted by religious leaders, Members of Parliament, civic leaders and women leaders.
Mr Musyoka reiterated that Kenya will not send troops to Somalia but will ensure that her borders are guarded against aggression from the war-torn Somalia.
In attendance were Cabinet ministers Yusuf Haji (Defence), Prof George Saitoti (Internal Security), Mohamed Elmi (Development of Northern Kenya), several assistant ministers and MPs from the North Eastern Province.
During the meeting, the leaders concluded that what was happening in Somalia was not a religious matter but foreign ideologies being imposed on Somalis which they said should not be brought to Kenya.
Emphasising on the importance of peace and security in national development, the VP called on the youth from the region to engage in constructive engagements through “Kazi Kwa Vijana†initiative.
He urged them to resist any attempts to involve themselves in the Somali crisis.
There has been raising concerns over the growing activities of the Al Shabab near the Kenyan border.
There has also been claims that the militants are recruiting from Northern Kenya region and in Nairobi’s Eastleigh area.
Earlier this year militants from Somalia abducted two Italians nuns from the same border area.
source: Daily Nation
By OLIVER MATHENGE and VPPS
