Effects of Violent Extremism on Kenyan Youth

With little chance of getting any education or jobs, young slum dwellers in Kenya are easy prey for terrorist recruiters from Al-Shabaab and ISIS. Radicalization of youths and their recruitment for violent and illegal activities is not new to Kenya. Criminal gangs, ethnic sects and local militias have been undertaking such recruitment for years. However, in recent years, youth radicalization has become even more threatening on account of the increased terrorist activities in the country.

Terror activities in the country have not only led to loss of lives, personal suffering and pain, but also in growing instability and a heightened sense of insecurity. This has further resulted to a slow growth of Kenya’s economy.

Young people have fallen prey of being targeted by extremist organizations and are very vulnerable to their offers. Regardless of their religious affiliation or ethnic background, boys and young men living mostly in the slums are often approached by al-Shabaab or ISIS recruiters. These young people are attracted to the promise of money and material reward, others believe in the jihadist ideology, some have lost faith in dysfunctional politics while others look for adventure and for a clear set of

Youngsters with little hope of education and good jobs are particularly easy prey. Similarly, in the country’s border regions, recruitment is reportedly active. Recruits have also included girls, children from wealthy families and university students.

It is time that young people need to be prioritized so as to bring to an end the issue of radicalization and violent extremism among them. Much more attention has to be paid to the youth by increasing opportunities for education, employment and political participation. They need to be able to engage productively in a politics that builds unity, is based on common values and holds out the real prospect of change by democratic means if the extremist ideologies are to be starved of new recruits. Also, youth leadership exchange programmes need to be promoted in the country and in the region. It will also be helpful if more support is given for the organizations working in the slums and informal settlements on education, youth activities, vocational training and employment.

This is why County Governance Watch (CGW), in collaboration with the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) and other partners from Uwiano Platform, will be holding a conference on Countering Violent Extremism and anti-Radicalization aimed at campaigning for peace among the youth across all counties in Kenya. The conference will enlighten young people on the importance of peace before, during and after and why they should shun away from being used as vessels of causing violence during elections by politicians. This ambitious conference will be taking place in Siaya County from September 19th to 22nd 2016.

Read: National Youth Conference on Countering Violent Extremism on the Way