Varsity student arrested on way to join Libyan terror group
Anti-terrorism police are holding a University of Nairobi student arrested while allegedly on his way to Libya.
First year biochemistry student Hassanein Ahmed Basty used his school fees to buy an air ticket to the North African country.
Authorities say he was lured online by a terrorist organisation and told his starting salary would be $2,000 (Sh200,000).
He was told he would work as a phlebotomist and the pay would increase to $10,000 (Sh1 million).
Police took action because the hiring agency had been flagged for online recruitment of terrorists. The agency has been luring university students with promises of well-paying jobs in Libya and the Middle East.
“The hapless youth usually find themselves being recruited into extremist groups,” according to a report seen by the Nation.
Libya plays host to several terrorist groups, including Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State.
The government report adds: “Police investigations have established that in early 2015, Basty was lured by an online recruiter who promised him a job. He was notified in October 2015 that his application was successful. The young man used part of his university fees to buy a ticket but was arrested before he accomplished his mission.”
He was detained at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport before being transferred to the anti-terrorism police.
Two weeks ago, police unearthed an Al-Shabaab recruitment network that lures youth with promises of cash, cars and women.
