SUPKEM wants amnesty for youth who joined Al Shabaab extended to 30 days

Supkem's Secretary General Adan Wachu addressing the media in Nairobi; he asked the Government to give more days for the young people who had joined Al-shabab to surrender. (Photo: Jenipher Wachie)

Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims (SUPKEM) has asked the government to extend amnesty period for youths who joined Al-Shabaab terror group to thirty days.

Supkem Secretary General Alhaj Adan Wachu said the council calls upon the government to raise the amnesty period from ten days to thirty days adding that the amnesty be true without victimisation.

“We thank the government of Kenya for granting amnesty to Kenyan youths who joined Al-shabaab and any other proscribed groups. Ten days are not enough and we request the government to extend to thirty days,” said Wachu.

Addressing journalists in Nairobi, Wachu said Islam allows open reception free from any harm or denial for any person who surrenders and seeks for forgiveness.

Tuesday, Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph Nkaissery offered an amnesty for youths who joined Al-Shabaab terror group to register with the government within ten days.

Nkaissery said the youths should report to County Commissioners in Nairobi, Mombasa and Garissa for further directions and failure to do so, one will be treated as a criminal and will face the full force of the law.

The measures are the latest to be taken by the government in efforts to address growing terror threats in the country.

Full rehabilitation

SUPKEM called upon the government to reconsider that the returnees not only surrender to the provincial administrators and security agents but also to reputable village elders, Sheikhs, Imams, priests and officials of human rights organisations.

“We also request that the returnees be fully rehabilitated with a view to engaging them into a meaningful source of livelihood and a check on these youths be developed between the government and the religious body” added Wachu.

SUPKEM called upon the all Imams and Sheikhs in all mosques countrywide to announce the amnesty on Friday 17.

He said condemnation of Muslims and members of Somali community should stop adding that security agents should conduct themselves in etiquette during their investigations.

At the same time, they called upon the government and security agents to conduct thorough investigations on individuals and institutions alleged to be involved in funding terror activities.

“Some of the Muslim leaders mentioned in the terror list have stood against the Al-Shabaab onslaught and we ask the government to review the list and the allegations,” said the SUPKEM Secretary General.