Counter-Radicalization As A Security Measure Against Terrorism In Kwale County, Kenya

ABSTRACT

Radicalization has become a major problem resulting to a more unstable and conflict prone world. Radicalization leads to violent extremism and the final stage is terrorism. The ease to radicalize people is as a result of marginalization in areas such as economic, social and political exclusion, fight for religious ideologies as well as human rights violations. Kenya is experiencing the major challenge of being primarily a soft target or a source of terrorism in the Horn of Africa. For Kenya to deal with the terrorism sources, counter radicalization measures need to be adopted. In this regard, the study desired to examine the effectiveness of counter-radicalization as a security measure against terrorism in Kwale County, Kenya. The study was guided by the following specific objectives; to determine the effectiveness of community policing in fighting against terrorism, to establish the role of training programs in fighting against terrorism, to examine the role of media campaigns in fighting against terrorism and to assess the effectiveness of religious teachings in fighting against terrorism. This study employed mixed research design. The area of study was Kwale County in Kenya. Findings show that community members are aware of community policing in their locality. They are able to stop cases of radicalization before they occur. They participated in community policing at their own will. Not all community members are involved in policing. Findings also show that majority of radicalized youths are dropouts or had low level education. From the findings, media offered forums based on educating the public. The common sources of media by community members in Kwale County are use of radio. Further from the findings it was clear that religious teachings was important in restoration, peacebuilding, community cohesion and participation in intercultural interaction. The study concludes that community policing is a significant security measure of countering radicalization but has not been effective in Kwale County. The study also concludes that education is a very effective way of countering radicalization. The study further concludes that media campaign can be a very effective measure of countering radicalization if utilized in proper ways. The study finally concludes that religious teachings are an effective measure of countering radicalization. The study recommends that the county government should look for ways of creating jobs for the youth. The government should ensure that students complete their education since there is free primary and secondary education in the country