Youth empowerment is key in the fight against violent extremism
Rayhab Wangari, March 2025
Summary
This opinion piece argues that youth empowerment is central to Kenya's fight against violent extremism. Despite recognition in the National Strategy to Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (NSPCVE) 2025-2030, barriers to meaningful youth participation persist. Violent extremism in Kenya has evolved into a multifaceted threat, with Al-Shabaab exploiting socio-economic inequalities, political marginalisation, and grievances. The author calls for a shift from purely security-driven approaches to soft approaches prioritising inclusivity, empowerment, and resilience. Programs like Kazi Mtaani and Ajira Digital Programme demonstrate the potential of economic empowerment to reduce vulnerabilities to radicalisation.
Keywords
youth empowerment, P/CVE, Kenya, NSPCVE, Al-Shabaab, economic empowerment, radicalisation
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