- The 2016 strategy was premised on achieving two broad objectives; rallying all sectors of Kenya and driving the pool of radicalization.
- “The new approach is premised on inclusivity and ensuring a secure, cohesive, resilient Kenya that rejects violent extremism,” NCTC said.
Image: CYRUS OMBATI/File
The National Counter Terrorism Centre has embarked on the process of reviewing its National Strategy to Counter Violent Extremism to address new emerging trends.
The 2016 strategy was premised on achieving two broad objectives; rallying all sectors of Kenya and driving the pool of radicalisation.
The objectives were actualized through pillars such as education, psychosocial, media and online, legal and policy, faith-based and ideological, security, political, training and capacity building, and arts and culture.
The center now says the threat landscape has shifted since the launch of the 2016 strategy and to stay ahead of the enemy, it is prudent that the strategy is reviewed to respond effectively to these dynamics.
“The new approach is premised on inclusivity and ensuring a secure, cohesive, resilient Kenya that rejects violent extremism,” NCTC said.
Its rallying points now are inclusivity and precision focus on women and youth.
NCTC has a draft and is conducting public participation and collecting views from all interested parties.
According to the NCTC, current events have thrust Kenya to the frontline of a regional and global struggle against terrorist groups and violent extremists.
The strategy had been developed through extensive collaboration, and that is owned by the full spectrum of Kenyan social, economic, and political life.
“Radicalisation at its core is an attack on the cultures and heritage of the Kenyan people. Under this pillar, the focus is on protecting and promoting Kenya’s heritage,” the draft says.
The new strategy depends on collaboration between and among citizens, communities, local and national leadership, state bodies at the national, county, and local levels, NGOs, CBOs, religious authorities, researchers, and the private sector.
“CVE needs to be driven by evidence and adapt to change as necessary. This requires that it be anchored in robust conceptual approaches and empirical research rooted in the particularities of regions, countries, and local neighborhoods and communities,” NCTC said.
Since the 1998 bombing of the US Embassy in Nairobi by Al Qaeda, there have been almost 2,000 fatalities and over 6,000 seriously injured in Kenya by terrorist attacks.
“There are multiple forms of violent extremism but the main threat to Kenya is based on Salafi-Jihadi ideology that is embraced by al Shabaab group, Al Qaeda’s affiliate in the Horn of Africa, and other terrorist organisations such as Dae’sh (ISIS) that seek ‘entry’ into the Horn of Africa," the agency says.
“This violent Salafism is the key driver of turning multiple political, social, economic and personal schisms into drivers of radicalisation, recruitment, motivation to engage in violence and justify it.”
The strategy seeks to have the ability to delegitimise and reject violent extremist ideologies, to deploy accessible early warning and early intervention tools against radicalisation that has the confidence of the public and enable violent extremists to disengage from membership of terrorist groups and to embrace deradicalisation and reintegration.
It will also call for coordinated, innovative, and impact-focused CVE work by all stakeholders, sustained support for CVE by national and local leaders, availability of financial and human resources for CVE initiatives that are demand-responsive and for CVE to be evidence-driven, non-dogmatic, and built on locally relevant knowledge.
According to the strategy being worked on, the main priorities include countering violent extremist ideologies, promoting patriotism for Kenya’s nationhood, enhancing government support to local communities that are targeted by violent extremists, and developing radicalisation early warning and early intervention measures.
There will also be rehabilitation and reintegration support for individuals who disengage from violent extremism, development of expertise in non-coercive approaches to CVE in the government, and effective utilisation of law enforcement to deter and prosecute radicalisers.
There will be research on the evolution of violent extremist ideologies, organisational models, radicalisation methodologies, and stakeholder action that offers clear pathways and guidelines for stakeholder engagement in CVE.
“These lines of action when pursued in collaborative and coordinated fashion will immensely advance the security of Kenyan citizens, and communities and protect our democratic way of life,” the draft strategy says.
The centre will carry out an annual assessment of the impact of major donor programmes and funding on violent extremism at the local and national level.
It will also measure the impact of the government initiatives and the assessment will be availed to the national leadership.