Police arrest two teachers linked to Al Shabaab militants

Isiolo: Two teachers, suspected to have links to Al Shabaab have been arrested in Isiolo town.

The two (names withheld) teach in a primary school in the town. Detectives arrested them from the school on Monday at around 4pm.

Police said they received information from the public on the suspects' activities. Yesterday, Isiolo County Criminal Investigation Officer David Cheruiyot said the teachers are in custody and are being interrogated.

"The two teachers have been using their position to radicalise young people and aid in recruiting youths to join militia groups," said Mr Cheruiyot.

He added: "The police had crucial information about their activities and been monitoring them for same time."

The arrest, said the officer, would help the security team in confronting Al Shabaab and other terror groups.

Cheruiyot said police are also investigating people suspected to be involved in the disappearance of some youths in Isiolo. Dozens of youth, some primary and secondary school students have disappeared from various parts of the county over the years.

The officer said the two teachers were handed over to the Anti-Terrorism Police Unit who will take 10 days to undertake their investigation.

Last year, more than 10 teachers teaching Islamic Religious Education and Arabic were arrested and probed but no charges were preferred against them. Some of them were transferred to schools outside the county.