Kenya’s Approach in Countering Violent Extremism

This study examined Kenya‘s approach of Counter Violent Extremism (CVE) in achieving the intended objectives of preventing radicalization and recruitment of individuals into active participation in violent extremist activities. The study found out that broadening CVE approaches in Kenya could work beyond state-centric interventions that allow a broader space for myriads of actors. The role of the Kenyan government needs to adapt a collective vision and engage community actors to lead positive and appropriate interventions. With effective exploration and profiling of both the Top-Down and Bottom-Up CVE approaches in Kenya, the intrinsic nuances in the field can be revealed and adequately responded to in the interest of achieving the intended objectives of CVE in the country. Therefore this thesis disclosed that the current existing limitations of both the Top-down and Bottom-Up CVE approaches in Kenya are based on the respective community reception, perception and the complementary elements of both approaches. The methodology applied in this research was qualitative, relying on a descriptive research design being used in preliminary and exploratory study. This approach gave room for effective and functional information gathering, summarization, presentation and objective interpretation of gathered data. The proceeding theories used help understand and identify the process of radicalization that leads to violent extremism to predict the cycle in order to prevent or counter it, and understand the fluctuating trends of radicalization. This thesis concluded that, CVE in Kenya can no longer be handled in isolation by the state alone, and this reality should be fully embraced, and its ends pursued.