Changing Strategies in Countering Violent Extremism and Terrorism in Africa: Case of Kenya

Abstract

The study focused on the changing strategies in countering violent extremism and terrorism in Africa: case of Kenya. The main objective of the study was to contribute new and effective knowledge that can assist in countering terrorism and violent extremism in Kenya and Africa in general. The study also examined the global counter-terrorism strategies and their impact in countering VE and terrorism; evaluated the trends and impacts of the strategies adopted in countering terrorism and violent extremism in Africa and lastly, carried out an investigation on the existing multi-stakeholder approaches and their challenges in countering terrorism and violent extremism in Kenya. The findings of the study revealed that effective multi-stakeholder approaches will lead to a reduction on challenges faced in the implementation of the CVE and CT strategies in Kenya. The theory used to conduct the study was human need theory. The theory, as expounded by John Burton captures the push and pull factors that led to the adoption of the various multi-stakeholder approaches used in combating terrorism and violent extremism. In summary, Kenya‘s initial strategies in countering acts of terrorism and violent extremism were based on hard/militaristic power. This approach became ineffective as more young people continued to join terror groups. Also, acts of terrorism and violent extremism started to escalate making institutions of learning, places of worship, shopping malls and various bus terminuses to be targeted areas. Thus, the failure of State-led approaches to curtail the rise of violent extremism activities shifted the policy on countering violent extremism and terrorism to now the adopted multi-stakeholder approaches. In conclusion, the study recommended that the government of Kenya to link more with think tanks, particularly universities, as knowledge hub in seeking alternative solutions in dealing with the threat of terrorism and violent extremism in Kenya, and avoid policies that alienate marginalized communities and make them more susceptible to recruitment and radicalization by terrorists.