Kenya challenges Commonwealth states to help end radicalization

Kenya has called on the Commonwealth countries to present seamless bulwark against terror through collaborative counter-terror strategies.

Speaking at a meeting where she represented President Uhuru Kenyatta Friday during the ongoing 24^th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Valetta, Malta, Foreign Affairs and International Trade Cabinet Secretary, Ambassador Amina Mohamed said; “The strategies should include co-operation in information and intelligence collection, sharing, validation and analysis.”

She said the world must synchronize coordination in developing and executing measures to disrupt, interdict, contain, degrade and eradicate criminal and terrorist gangs and their networks.

“Also in sharing of experiences and best practice in addressing the root causes of disaffection and alienation, particularly among the youth who are the most susceptible to radicalization, manipulation and recruitment into criminal and terrorist gangs,” said CS Amina.

The 24^th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting started Friday and will end on Sunda in Valetta, Malta with the theme “Commonwealth: Adding Global Value”.

President Uhuru Kenyatta has already travelled to Malta for the meeting.

Amina Stressed that Kenya appreciates that security is a vital to the development of the country, and further reiterated that investment can only be achieved if the investors are assured of the security.

“Regrettably, the world today is faced with security challenges brought about by violent extremism and radicalization. Incidences of terror attacks have increased significantly in the recent past. Radicalization of the youth continues to be a growing concern to all countries.”

She said violent extremism and radicalization are a global threat and that Commonwealth countries have found themselves as a source, transit or destination of extremist ideologies and foreign terrorist fighters.

“No country is safe and with this conviction should strengthen our resolve in coming together to fight the scourge of terrorism,” she added.

She further started the Kenyan Government’s commitment to fight terrorism in all its manifestations, while acknowledging the menace as a global threat that requires the efforts of the international community to effectively tackle.