Garissa County leaders have blamed increased terror activities in the area on lack of employment and delay in the issuance of national ID cards to the youths.
Led by Garissa governor Nathif Jama, the leaders said that unless the two problems are addressed, the current status quo will remain longer.
"We risk having these boys go to the wrong hands because a young man with no ID literally has no life. How does he even travel from here to seek for a job? Let the government give them IDs to enable them look for jobs and do business," said Jama.
Garissa County Women MP Shukran Gure told the government to create opportunities and distribute them fairly if it does not youths to cross into Somalia. She also asked the government to deal with terror in the area seriously.
"Al Shabaab are not as equipped as ourselves. They use donkeys to transport their weapons. We have all the weapons we need," said Gure.
Donkeys are also, allegedly, being used to transport dangerous weapons into the Dadaab camp in the pretext of transporting loads.
Consequently, North Eastern region Commissioner Mahmud Saleh has banned refugees from leaving the camp unless when seeking treatment. For medical issues, the refugees have to obtain a pass and upon return to the camp, prove that they were indeed hospital.
The leaders challenged the government to ensure that money allocated to the security docket is used to equip the police.
They were speaking on Saturday at Babane, Lagdera in Garissa County during a fundraiser to build a new school.