Strengthening Interventions in Prevention of Violent Extremism in Kenya

Terrorism remains a continuing challenge in Kenya, as a result the government has acknowledged the need to embrace a prevention approach as part of its response to this problem. This preventive approach recognizes the need for better engagement between communities and the police, the need to promote alternative messages and find means of diverting young people away from the paths of violent extremism. It appreciates the value of working with communities to address poor police-public relations and ensure adherence to human rights.

Concluded in 2020, this study sought to identify and propose solutions to gaps that exist in efforts toward reforming the Kenyan government’s counter-terrorism measures. CHRIPS conducted training sessions for CVE researchers and practitioners in four counties namely Isiolo; Lamu; Kwale and Mombasa. These short and intensive courses were designed for current and aspiring researchers and practitioners in the field of preventing and countering violent extremism (PCVE) from governmental and non- governmental organisations.

It further held six policy workshops in five counties: Lamu; Wajir; Kwale; Isiolo and Mombasa. The purpose of the county policy workshops was to address the disconnect between considerable recommendations and policy prescriptions from P/CVE projects and research and their influence in and translation to violent extremism (VE), P/CVE and overall county and national level security laws and policies. The participants critically analyzed local dynamics contributing to gaps and complexities associated with PCVE policy influence; reflected on the respective county and national legal and policy frameworks on P/CVE and its implication on policy influence; shared possible avenues for collaboration and strategies for different P/CVE actors to enhance policy contributions, and explored possible new areas of research and policy engagement.

Outputs:

Rebuilding Wajir County’s Resilience to Violent Extremism Reviewing

Kwale County’s Action Plan on PCVE

Violent Extremism and Radicalisation in Isiolo County

Violent Extremism in Lamu County

Countering and Preventing Violent Extremism in Mombasa County: Youth and Gender differentiation