• The Kiunga Youth Bunge Initiative is forming youth champions clubs to counter-violent extremism.
• Champions clubs generated from vocational training institutes across Lamu.
Image: CHETI PRAXIDES
A Lamu youth organisation has rolled out a plan they hope will stifle radicalisation and violent extremism among youth in the county.
The Kiunga Youth Bunge Initiative (KYBI) is forming youth Counter Violent Extremism (CVE) champions clubs from vocational training institutes (TVETs) across Lamu.
The TVETs are in Lamu town, Mpeketoni, Witu, Mokowe, and Kizingitini.
Each TVET is expected to produce 15 to 20 members to form the champions club after students receive special training on anti-radicalisation and countering violent extremism.
They will move around the county and sensitise the public, particularly the young generation, to resist getting radicalised and joining criminal gangs like al Shabaab. It's a no-win, life-destroying venture and recruits return disillusioned, with Shabaab promises unfulfilled.
Maina said Lamu has been a hotbed of radicalisation, violent extremism and terrorism as a whole, citing its proximity to war-torn Somalia, which is al Shabaab’s stronghold.
The move comes as the region is experiencing increased cases of violence by al Shabaab militants.
Last month, five people were hacked to death while six houses were torched.
KYBI started the programme at the Mpeketoni and Witu TVET this week. At least 20 students from each of the two institutions in Lamu West were trained on counter-violent extremism before youth champions clubs on anti-radicalisation and CVE were formed.
KYBI is implementing the initiative in partnership with Act (ACT-Change Transform) under the Accelerated Response Initiative Against Violent Extremism (ARIVE). The programme is funded by the Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund (GCERF).
KYBI programme officer Moses Maina said after receiving training and forming clubs, the youth will be connected to government officials in key departments.
TVETs are ideal for recruitment because students have finished secondary school and are learning skills that will help them learn trades and make money. They are also about the same age as vulnerable youth and can communicate better than adults who may tend to preach.
They serve as good examples and models.
“That’s why we’re working hard to build resilience among the youth on such matters. Once the youth are genuinely informed, no one can lure them into joining terrorist groups," Maina said.
Mpeketoni law courts senior resident magistrate Pascal Nabwana, who was among instructors during the three-day training, said lack of education and meaningful employment are major factors making youth targets of radical and criminal groups.
Nabwana said terrorist groups have been keen to maximise the two gaps to mislead communities, especially the youth who are more vulnerable.
Terrorism-related offenses are serious and he called on youth to avoid them.
“We need to stay away from radicalisation and violent extremism. These are crimes that threaten the safety and security of society and the entire nation, Nabwana said.
Those young people, if convicted of serious crimes, can spend a lifetime in prison and lose life opportunities, families and friends, he said.
"Let’s be patriotic by involving ourselves in activities to build ourselves and the nation,” Nabwana said.
Mpeketoni TVET official Jackson Kamau thanked KYBI, Mpeketoni law courts and other partners for reaching out to his students and offering crucial training.
Mpeketoni TVET students’ leaders Fatma Ngala and Keith Kamau pledged to adopt all training.
“We shall strive to ensure our TVETs emerges best in terms of spreading the peace, anti-radicalisation and CVE messages to fellow youth and society in Lamu at large,” Ngala said.
He said they will also go to Mokowe, Lamu island and Kizingitini TVETs where youth will be trained before forming champions clubs to fight terror-related activities in the county.
“By the end of this programme targeting at least five TVETs in Lamu, we will have about 100 informed minds or ambassadors on matters of radicalisation and violent extremism," Maina said.
Already, they have formed the Mpeketoni and Witu TVETs youth champion clubs. Apart from Mpeketoni, they will head to Mokowe, Lamu Island and Kizingitini TVETs.
He said Lamu youth are vulnerable to radicalisation and violent extremism, largely because of poverty and joblessness and because they are being targeted and promised better lies for themselves and their families.
Image: CHETI PRAXIDES