Mother to be charged for not snitching on Al-Shabaab son
A mother of a suspected terrorist is scheduled to be charged in court Monday on allegations of supporting Al-Shabaab activities in Somalia.
She will be charged alongside the man’s girlfriend at the Milimani law courts in Nairobi.
Authorities say the two failed to disclose information that would have helped in arresting the suspect, contrary to the Prevention of Terrorism Act, 2012.
According to information shared among security agencies and seen by the Nation, Mr Eric Njoroge Wachira travelled to Somalia in November 2016.
JOIN AL-SHABAAB
Ms Eunice Wanjiku Wachira, the mother of the suspect, told a friend that her son had travelled to Somalia to join Al-Shabaab.
The friend later gave the information to police.
Ms Caroline Mwangi, the man’s girfriend, was arrested because she was constantly receving calls from the suspect in Somalia but failed to report to the police.
“According to the Act, it is an obligation of every Kenyan to report to the local administration, the police or relevant authority a person suspected to be engaged in terror activities. Therefore, failure to disclose information relevant in securing and prosecution of a person engaged in terror activities is an offence,” according to the report seen by the Nation.
Before joinging the terrorist organisation, the suspect was a businessman selling second-hand shoes in Nyeri.
At one time he was investigated for drug peddling.
VIOLENT EXTRIMISM
“One of Erics’ friend said the journey to Somalia to join the Al-Shabaab must have started when he took a keen interest in literature and videos that promoted violent extrimism in the social media. Eric isolated himself and most of the time he would lock himself in his room while watching the video or reading the books,” said the government report.
The suspect later converted to Islam.
“Eric talked of martyrdom. He even talked of relocating from Kenya hoping find peace. His conversion was just a cover to become a terrorist,” the report added.
There have been increased cases radicalization among the youth who end up fighting for Al-shabaab in Somalia.
