RECRUITING KENYANS FOR SOMALIA: What are the Facts

DADAAB, Kenya


The recruits assembled by moonlight at a watering hole. Hundreds of boys and young Kenyan men were herded onto trucks, which were covered with heavy canvas and driven through the night.

It was so hot inside they could hardly breathe. One recruit, Salad Dahir, said they banged the sides of the truck for water but got none. Some had to urinate where they stood. Their destination: a secluded training camp deep in the Kenyan bush.

Thousands of people, including children, are being secretly recruited and trained inside Kenya to battle Islamic insurgents in neighboring Somalia, according to deserters, local officials, families of recruits and diplomats. Most recruits are Somalis living in crowded refugee camps and Kenyan nationals who are ethnic Somalis living nearby.

 Sources say, Both Somali and Kenyan military officials were involved in the training, the recruits said, adding that they recognized Kenya's green military uniform and beret on some trainers while others wore plain clothes. 

Salad Dahir, a tall, thin man in a tattered blue shirt, said he had traveled to the training site in the crowded, sweltering truck about a month ago. He said the Kenyan military did the training — push-ups and other calisthenics. 

"Kenya military were there wearing uniforms," added Hassan.