Alleged Kenyan ISIS Recruiter Cries Foul After Appearing On Terror Watch List

An alleged Kenyan ISIS recruiter on the police terror watch list is crying foul, claiming a case of mistaken identity.

Salad Tari Gufu is according to the police, a recruiter and facilitator of the terror network and is planning an attack in the country.

Salad has Surrendered to police, saying that he is the person on the list of wanted suspects but is, however, disassociating himself from the alleged plans.

See Also: Top Government Officers Nabbed Recruiting For Al Shabaab

He says he fears for his life and has not been able to leave his family home in Buruburu for fear of being killed or taken away by police.

“I am not involved in any terror activities and I am not armed like the police are saying. I am a student at the Moi University and I just completed my attachment waiting to resume my studies in September after the elections,” Mr. Salad said.

In a Facebook post, Salad wrote:

“I am a fourth-year student pursuing a bachelor’s degree in the faculty of education in Moi University (main campus). As a citizen and a student, am being suspected for a crime that I am not even capable of. My friends know me and attest to my innocence. I, therefore, encourage you all to spread this message of truth.. SALAD WASN’T, ISN’T AND WON’T BE A TERRORIST.”

See Also: Somali Army Rescues Kenyan Schoolgirls Kept As Sex Slaves By Al-Shabaab Men

A police statement on Mr. Gufu had said he opened a studio at the Marsabit town market where he sold VCDs and DVDs of radical sheikhs propagating jihad.

The police also said he was linked to Mohammed Abdi Ali aka Abu Fidaa, an online Islamic State recruiter who was arrested in 2016 before he could launch an Anthrax attack in Kenya.

Salad Tari Gufu is among five people listed on the police terror watch list. They include: Abdikadir Mohamed aka Ikrima, Mohammed Tajir Ali, Suleiman Irungu Mwangi and Gufu Tari Gufu (Salad’s brother).

The Anti-Terrorism Police Unit (ATPU) officers have taken Mr. Gufu into custody for further interrogation.