DCI boss Mohamed Amin has vouched for cooperation among North Eastern residents in the fight against terrorism.

Amin said the residents should partner with security agencies to fight the vice that has adversely affected growth in the region.

Addressing parents, teachers and students at Sabunley Senior School in Wajir County, his former high school, Amin called for concerted efforts from various players to end radicalisation.

“The challenges that we face, particularly the threat of radicalisation and violent extremism, require us to unite and take collaborative action,” he said while appealing to the local community to support the government’s efforts in dealing with terror threats.

Amin oversaw the handing over of the perimeter wall built with the support from Mombasa Cement and Sabunley Senior School alumni as he remembered his days at the school between 1981 and 1984 during his O-Level studies.

“As the Director of Criminal Investigations, I understand the critical role that education plays in shaping a secure and prosperous society,” Amin said, as he vouched for the values of hard work, discipline and perseverance that he said have shaped his life.

Nurture aspirations

Stressing the importance of education, Amin called for the promotion of an environment that nurtures the aspirations of the youth, “keeping them engaged in positive and constructive activities”.

“Through mentorship, resources, and opportunities, we can empower them to pursue their dreams and become active contributors to our society,” Amin said.

The DCI boss’s call came as the counties of Mandera and Garissa continued to record incidents and movement of members of the Al-Shabaab terror group.

In Mandera, five quarry workers were killed early this month by suspected militants and in Garissa, six police reservists were killed on March 23 when the terrorists raided their camp in Fafi.

Security agencies in the region have always blamed the local community for failing to provide the much-needed intelligence to help deal with terrorism.

Amin challenged parents, teachers, religious leaders and Kenya’s neighbours to join hands and help the youth.

While comparing the security situation in the three counties of North Eastern, Amin commended security managers in Wajir in what he termed as a ‘well done job.’

He challenged the local community to confront their age-old cultural practices, including Maslaha in dealing with gender-based violence.

“Maslaha undermines the rule of law and hinders justice for victims,” he said

Human rights activists in the region have raised concerns about the use of Maslaha, a customary dispute resolution system.