Somali traders support terror war

By Cyrus Ombati

A group of Somali businessmen have supported the ongoing military offensive in Somalia saying Al Shabaab poses a security threat to Kenya and the entire region.

The businessmen, who operate mainly in Eastleigh, Nairobi, said they were ready to offer the military any help required to ensure the militant group is routed.

"We are worried because of reports that the head of Al Shabaab is in Nairobi. We ask the Government to get him wherever he is. Al Shabaab poses a major security threat to the region," said Hassan Gullet, the chairman of Eastleigh Business Community.

Gullet said Somalis had been through difficult times in Kenya in the wake of terror threats hence the need for them to fully support efforts to address the problem.

"We must ensure our children are not threatened because the terror group does not discriminate against tribe or nationality," said Gullet.

Gullet noted that most Kenyans had wrongly assumed all Somalis were Al Shabaab. He described Somalis as peace-loving citizens and asked the public to stop regarding them as terrorists.

The businessman also claimed that security agencies knew those who had been spearheading the recruitment of Kenyan youth into the terror group.

Another businessman, Mr Bare Shill asked Kenyans to remain united.

"Truth is that Al Shabaab are terrorists and we call for unity irrespective of where one comes from," he said.