As Muslims observe the holy month of Ramadan with prayer, fasting and reflection, Somalia-based Al-Shabaab terrorist group continues to conduct large-scale attacks flying in the face of the very religion it claims to profess. This is prove enough that Al-Shabaabb terrorists are nothing but criminals using religion as a cover. While true believers are seeking peace and spiritual fulfillment, the terrorists are busy storming villages and towns to terrorize innocent people while pretending to be benefactors. Apparently, this is a strategy Al-Shabaab uses while planning more bloodshed.
A case in point is recent Al-Shabaab raid in Mangai village in Lamu County where the terrorists threatened people and ‘gifted’ them dates to hide their criminal nature. If Al-Shabaab terrorists were truly following Islamic principles, why do they continue to spread fear and violence, even during the most sacred month of the Islamic calendar? The Quran explicitly condemns the killing of innocent people, yet these terrorists show no hesitation in attacking security officers, raiding villages and using intimidation to control communities. Their actions expose them for what they truly are—oppressors, not protectors of Islam.
The fact that the terrorists did not carry out a full-scale attack during the Mangai incident does not make them lesser evils. The militants chose to manipulate and deceive the locals. They lectured the community in an attempt to spread their ideology and then distributed dates—a symbolic move meant to present themselves as generous and religiously devout. But the people of Kenya must recognize this tactic for what it truly is: a calculated effort to win trust and loyalty before unleashing more terror.
Al-Shabaab may hand out dates today while surveying where they plan to plant Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), execute civilians and attack security officers. Their kindness is a mask, their words are poison, and their actions are a betrayal of the very faith they claim to uphold.
Al-Shabaab’s so-called ‘religious’ justifications crumble when examined under the light of true Islamic teachings. Ramadan is a time of self-discipline, charity and devotion to Allah—not a time for violence, murder and fear mongering. The Quran is clear that ‘Whoever kills a person [unjustly]… it is as though he has killed all of mankind,’ (Quran 5:32).
Despite this, Al-Shabaab has killed thousands of innocent people, Muslims and non-Muslims alike. Their victims include women, children and elders who have nothing to do with any war or conflict. They bomb mosques, murder Islamic scholars who oppose them and disregard the sanctity of life. No true Muslim can support such barbaric acts.
Unlike Kenya that has managed to prevent Al-Shabaab attacks, Somalia is bearing the brunt as the terrorists have enhanced attacks during Ramadan period. The terror group appears resurgent with high profile attacks around Mogadishu including an attempt to assassinate the Somalia president. In mid-March, Al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for another fatal attack at Qahira Hotel in the central city of Beledweyne, which killed government officials and community leaders, who were deliberating on counter terrorism strategies.
Because of this, the people of Mangai and other terror-prone areas must remain vigilant. Accepting Al-Shabaab’s gifts or listening to their messages only strengthens their grip on communities. We must reject their false claims of religious authority and expose them for the frauds they are.
The Kenyan government and security forces must treat this incident as a warning. While Al-Shabaab may avoid large-scale attacks during Ramadan to maintain their deceptive religious image, they are actively working behind the scenes—recruiting, radicalizing, and planning future operations. Security agencies must remain alert, border security must be tightened and communities must be empowered to resist terrorism influence.
Public awareness campaigns should expose Al-Shabaab’s tactics, ensuring that no one falls for their deception. The people of Kenya must be reminded that Al-Shabaab is not a religious movement. They are criminals, killers and traitors to the very faith they claim to follow. Their acts of terror will never be justified and their days of manipulation must come to an end.
The people of Mangai were fortunate this time—there were no casualties. But history has shown us that Al-Shabaab never stops at words. Their so-called ‘generosity’ is always followed by bloodshed. Let this be a wake-up call: there is no peace with terrorists, no trust in their words, and no future for Kenya under their influence. We must remain united, vigilant and unwavering in our stand against terror.
