A Sh16 million reward has been offered for information on the whereabouts of a Kenyan al Shabaab leader and his seven followers.
Ahmed Iman aka Abu Zinnra and his followers are believed to have left the militant group over dissatisfaction with its operations and fear of being executed.
The eight allegedly want to form their own group within Boni Forest in Lamu county using al Shabaab’s resources.
“The objective of the local group is to penetrate the country, particularly North Eastern and Coastal parts, and spread its influence,” a leaked classified document from KDF reads.
The 20-page dossier states that Iman’s plan to leave al Shabaab is likely to demoralise foreign fighters including those from Tanzania, Uganda, Egypt and Libya.
“It is feared that his exit will worsen the already existing tension between local Somali fighters and foreign fighters,” the report seen by The Star reads.
Iman’s followers are Erick Achayo, Juma Ayub, Habib Karongo, Mohammed Musa, Mohammed Tajir, Ramadhan and Ramadhan Kioko.