By Caroline Katana
Kwale County is adopting a community-led approach to preventing violent extremism, with stakeholders shifting the focus from viewing young people as potential security risks to recognising them as key partners in promoting peace.
The new strategy was unveiled during a stakeholder forum, where peace actors outlined plans to implement a more inclusive framework through the County Engagement Forum in line with the 2025–2029 National Strategy for Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (PCVE).
Unlike previous initiatives that were largely coordinated through the County Commissioner’s office, the new model gives communities a greater role in leading peacebuilding efforts, identifying early warning signs and preventing radicalisation.
Jamii Action Center Executive Director Omar Chala said Kwale has made significant progress in reducing recruitment opportunities for extremist groups in former hotspots such as Bongwe. However, he warned that extremist networks have changed their tactics and now rely on less visible methods to recruit young people.
“They have changed their strategies and are now using a softer approach. The religious narratives they previously relied on have largely been countered because people are more informed today. They are now operating quietly and subtly, but the threat has not disappeared,” Chala said.
To strengthen prevention efforts, Chala said stakeholders are pushing for the enactment of the Kwale County Prevention and Countering of Violent Extremism (PCVE) Bill, which would provide a legal framework for the county government to invest directly in youth and women’s empowerment programmes aimed at reducing vulnerability to radicalisation.
The proposed legislation has been temporarily put on hold to allow harmonisation with the Public Finance Management (PFM) Act and the 2025–2029 National PCVE Strategy. Once guidance is received from the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), stakeholders expect the Bill to be tabled before the Kwale County Assembly.
Stakeholders said the proposed law is particularly important given Kwale’s youthful population. According to Youth Advisory Champions for Health (YACH) Youth Champion Mwanakombo Ali Gonga, nearly 79.5 per cent of the county’s population is made up of young people—the group most frequently targeted by extremist recruiters.
“Youth are the primary targets for violent extremism. If you want to solve this problem, you must involve those most affected. We are saying no to idleness and exploitation. Young people should be recognised as peace champions, not portrayed as destroyers,” Gonga said.
Chala urged residents, business owners, religious leaders and community institutions to actively support peace initiatives, stressing that preventing violent extremism cannot be left to security agencies alone.
“Security is everyone’s responsibility. Sustainable peace will only be achieved when communities take ownership of protecting one another and addressing the conditions that extremists seek to exploit,” he said.
