Anti-al Shabaab demo held

By Cyrus Ombati

Hundreds of youth demonstrated in Nairobi to demand action against Somalia’s Al Shabaab militia.

The over 1,000 demonstrators marched through streets carrying banners that castigated the militia and called on the Government to act to counter threats.

They claimed Al Shabaab elements had crossed to Nairobi and parts of North- Eastern Province where they are terrorising residents. The spokesman, John Muhoho, claimed the terror group plans to cause mayhem in Kenya.

"We have heard the Government announce that these people are in the country, and some of them are Kenyans. We want action to stop anarchy," said Muhoho.

The protestors started the march at Uhuru Park before heading to Parliament and Office of the President where they left a petition demanding immediate action.

They then walked through Harambee Avenue, Taifa Road, Kenyatta Avenue, and camped at Uhuru Park. Police stopped them from marching to the Jamia Mosque where they planned to leave another petition. Muhoho said some of the group’s followers have caused death and destruction in the country in the last two years.

"We do not want more Kenyans to die. You have seen how these criminals are causing instability in Mandera and their country and that is why we want action now," he said.

Some demonstrators donned T-shirts written: "We are Alsha-Kenya ready to fight Al Shabaab". Police offered security to the protestors. Central OCPD Eric Mugambi said they guided the protestors as a formality. Al Shabaab, a terror group aligned to Al Qaeda, has repeatedly said it would attack Kenya for supporting the Somali Transitional Federal Government troops that Ethiopian forces back.

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