Factors Affecting the Performance of Prevention of Violent Extremism PVE Programs in Africa- Case of Lamu County, Kenya

Abstract

This research paper focused on the factors affecting performance of prevention of violent extremism programs in the post 9-11 era with a specific focus of Lamu County in Kenya. The first objective of the study was to examine factors affecting the Performance of Prevention of Violent Extremism (PVE) Programs in the post-911 International System, the second objective was to assess the factors affecting the performance of PVE Programs in Africa and the third objective was to critically analyze the Factors affecting the Performance of (PVE) Programs in Lamu County, Kenya. The study was anchored on the theory of change. A combination of archival and qualitative survey methods were employed in this study with primary data being collected using interviewing technique. Findings of the study first revealed that numerous programs had been developed at global level, regional level, and country-specific levels and these included UN P/CVE strategy, EU’s PVE programs, USAID’s PVE initiatives and UK’s Prevent strategy. In as much as the programs had played an important role in reducing the magnitude and number of terrorism related activities, and resulted in significant positive changes in attitudes towards VE, several factors affected implementation. On a global scale, these factors included financial and technical support, lack of data based interventions, insufficient monitoring and evaluation strategies and conflicts amongst different country stakeholders on the strategies of the programs. In Africa where PVE programs have been concentrated in West, Central and Eastern Africa, factors affecting performance included the lack of support from communities, inadequate financial and technical support, poor structuring of some PVE projects were the main factors affecting the performance of the programs. In Lamu County, financial and technical support from international bodies and the Kenyan government positively contributed to the success of PVE programs. Factors like low levels of community support, tough economic times heightened by Covid-19 pandemic, poor coordination amongst the PVE initiatives and low financial capacity in some cases impacted negatively on the performance of PVE programs. Corruption and mismanagement of resources was also found to be a great hindrance to the success of PVE programs from an international, regional and local perspective. The researcher concluded in this study that world over, societies have been critical in coming up with prevention of violent extremism programs especially after the September 11th terrorism event of 2001 in USA. The PVE programs have recorded recognizable levels of success with regards to increased numbers of ex-VE group members, reduced recruitment levels of individuals by VE groups, low magnitude of VE related incidences and declining influence of VE related groups in societies. Such programs are however affected by factors such as low levels of community support, poor coordination strategy, lack of data based interventions, high poverty rates and powerful religious radicalization programs. The researcher suggested the need to continuously review the programs and involve communities in crafting case based initiatives that can deal with existing drivers of violent extremism. Employing advanced technology, strengthening governance and political systems and infrastructural development would also help in improving the performance of PVE programs and in preventing violent extremism in societies.