Residents of Garissa County have received awareness training on how to prevent child abductions following a series of reported kidnapping incidents involving young children in the Bula Iftin area of Garissa Township.
Speaking during a community sensitisation forum held at a hotel in Garissa Town, an officer from the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), Sangale Njololoi, urged residents to strengthen community cooperation, saying collective vigilance is key to preventing child abductions and other security threats.
“One of the most effective ways to combat these incidents is for communities to work together instead of living in isolation. Residents should remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to the relevant authorities,” said Njololoi.
He advised members of the public to immediately report any unfamiliar individuals or persons whose identity cannot be verified to the police so that appropriate action can be taken.
Njololoi also called on parents to take a leading role in safeguarding their children by knowing who they associate with and monitoring their movements, including when attending school and religious classes such as Madrasa.
Garissa resident Mohamad Gedi Mohamad encouraged fellow parents to ensure their children attend Madrasa so they receive proper religious guidance and are protected from extremist or misleading teachings spread through online platforms.
“Parents should ensure their children receive proper religious education to help shield them from harmful and misleading teachings on the internet,” he said.
Another resident, Moses Nyandoro, emphasized that child abduction knows no tribe or religion, urging all parents to remain vigilant regardless of their background.
“Child abduction does not discriminate based on tribe or religion. Every parent has a responsibility to ensure the safety of their children,” said Nyandoro.
Nyandoro also called on teachers and school administrators across Garissa County to strengthen safety measures and ensure children remain secure while in school.
