Nairobi: As the attack by Somali Islamists on Garissa University College ended, Kenyan police sprang into action circulating a photo of a senior Al Shabaab leader, whom they believe is behind the carnage.
The police placed a $54,350 bounty on the head of Mohamed Kuno, who is Al Shabaab's military commander in Lower Juba region in southern Somalia. He is currently in charge of external operations against Kenya.
"He (Kuno) commands the militia along the border and is responsible for cross-border incursions in the country. In the recent past, he has intensified attacks in Northern Kenya and Coast region, particularly in Garissa, Mandera, Lamu," the police said.
Sources said the suspect was aided by two local youths to conduct surveillance on the Moi University Garissa campus.
According to police, Kuno is believed to be very religious and has been a Madrassa teacher for several years. He worked for Al-Haramain Foundation between 1993 and 1995 before the institution was closed. At that time he was known as Sheikh Mahamad.
We appeal to anyone with any info on #Gamadhere to share with relevant authorities and security agencies. pic.twitter.com/YQ3MCvER4D
— InteriorCNG Ministry (@InteriorKE) April 2, 2015
The suspect later became a teacher and principal at Madarasa Najah in Garissa from 1997 to 2000, where his extremist tendencies became more manifested. He thereafter joined Al Shabaab after being motivated by the ideology of Islamic Courts Union (ICU) to establish an Islamic statehood in Somalia.
It is reported that the majority of the terror attacks in Garissa were carried out by former students of Madarasa Najah. Most of the recruits were drawn from close family members and clan mates.
Police said Kuno used the ideals of caliphate governance to persuade and recruit his students to join the ICU and later to join Al Shabaab.
The militant group had established a unit in every region of Somalia, and Kuno was charged with carrying out attacks against foreign troops.
He is also credited with having an extensive terrorist network within Kenya, particularly at the Dadaab refugee camp. Kuno claimed responsibility for last year's bus attack in Mandera in which 28 people were killed.
Masked gunmen, hurling grenades and firing automatic rifles, stormed the university in the northeastern town of Garissa as students were sleeping.
Officials said at least 147 students were killed in the attack, which was claimed by Somalia`s Shebab Islamistic group and lasted 13 hours.
It was the worst attack in Kenya since the 1998 bombing of the US embassy in Nairobi by Al-Qaeda, when 213 people were killed by a huge truck bomb.
(With Agency Inputs)
