Kenya is accused of providing shelter in Nairobi to individuals suspected of cooperating with Al-Shabab, even as the armed group continues to carry out deadly attacks against Kenyan civilians and security forces.
The allegations come after seven people, including police reservists and construction workers, were killed in an ambush in Mandera County on Tuesday. The attack was attributed to the al-Qaeda-linked group.
Among those reportedly staying in Nairobi is Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen, alongside several associates accused by Somalia’s federal government of having links to Al-Shabab.
Somalia has placed Laftagareen and members of his circle on a terrorism-related sanctions list over suspected connections to the group and alleged terrorist financing.
Somali authorities have also accused militias loyal to him of working with Al-Shabab fighters in suicide bombings and ground attacks against federal government and South West State forces in the Bay region.
Laftagareen is alleged to be directing his forces from Kenya with support from Al-Shabab, according to accusations made by the Somali government.
The allegations have drawn attention to Kenya’s handling of individuals suspected of links to the armed group, which has repeatedly targeted areas near the two countries’ shared border.
Al-Shabab has carried out numerous attacks in Kenya, targeting security forces, civilians and infrastructure. The latest incident in Mandera adds to concerns about the continuing threat posed by the group.
The allegations about Laftagareen and his associates’ presence in Nairobi have also raised questions about whether individuals suspected of cooperating with Al-Shabab are being allowed to operate from Kenyan territory.
There has been no response from Kenyan authorities included in the information provided for this report.
