President Kenyatta launches strategy to counter radicalisation

President Uhuru Kenyatta has launched a National Strategy to Counter Violent Extremism (NSCVE) in a bid to curb the recruitment of Kenyans into radical groups.

The strategy that was developed through extensive consultations with government agencies and county governments, religious leaders, civil society and regional and international partners is expected to guide the state and other stakeholders in countering violent extremism.

According to the presidency, the strategy will involve the mobilisation and strategic allocation of resources.

President Kenyatta appointed Ambassador Martin Kimani as special envoy for countering violent extremism to ensure proper synergies between Kenya’s efforts and the its regional and global counterparts.

At the core of the strategy is a need to address the challenge of individuals who have already been radicalised and some who have gone as far as joining terrorist groups that will be dealt with at the local level action and the national level action.

The objectives of the strategy include reducing support and recruitment into terrorist organisations, countering extremist propaganda and ideology, rehabilitating violent extremists among others.

Special roles to counter violent extremism will be tackled at the county, constituency and ward levels, chiefs, trained NGO’s and trained faith based organisations.