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Somalia's version of the Taliban, functioning as an arm of al-Qaeda...in Somalia.
The returnees, aged between 18 to 38 years, were reportedly lured by one Mohammed Ali ‐ a resident of Marereni, that there was a job in the neighbouring country.
Two among the lot are reportedly from Bargoni in Lamu county while the remaining 11 are from Msumarini, Gongoni, and Marereni in Magarini sub-county.
They were flown from Kiunga where they were being held by KDF personnel. They were received by Malindi OCPD Matawa Muchangi on Monday.
A senior security officer said after being recruited, Ali handed the unsuspecting youths to Abdlalla Shekue ‐ a boat owner in Kiunga, who took them to Somalia.
The official said the returnees were recruited on March 26 and KDF managed to rescue them on April 29 after some reported to their families.
"Shekue handed over them to Yusuf Ali on the pretext that they were going to engage in fishing in Somalia."
"During their one month stay in Somalia, the boys moved from Mdoa to Bula Haji with the intention to be recruited to fight for al-Shabaab," the official said.
The security officer said Mdoa and Bula Haji are al-Shabaab bases.
He said the KDF personnel in Somalia rescued the men at Ras Kamboni and handed them over to the Kenya Police to facilitate their reunion with their families.