The Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) has said the al-Shabaab militia group is now forcibly recruiting youth at the Coast.
Speaking in Ganze, Kilifi County, Chief of Defence Forces General Samson Mwathethe, asked parents and the community in general to be vigilant, in a bid to prevent youth from joining the terrorist group.
"Terror groups like al-Shaabab have changed their tactics of recruiting and training people. Apart from the normal process of radicalising the youth, the groups have now shifted to actually forcing the youth to join them,” said Mwathethe, as quoted by the Standard.
The general said the group was forced to change tact after losing its appeal among youth at the Coast.
This comes as police in Mombasa beef up security in the county, following the return of the militants in the Coastal town.
Last week, Mombasa County Commissioner Maalim Mohamed said anyone intending to carry out terror attacks in the county will be firmly dealt with.
"Before you come for us we will come for you. This is our country," said Maalim.