By S, KNA
The revised National Strategy to Prevent and Counter Violent Extremism (NSPCVE) 2025-2030 program is ready to be domesticated in Marsabit County following a review of its action plan.
The county action plan (CAP) that was put in place in 2016 was subjected to an evaluation in an effort to align it with the strategy which captures emerging trends of terrorism and violent extremism.
The move by the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) was also informed through realization that top-down methods cannot succeed alone hence the formulation and rolling out of an updated national strategy planned around localized arrangement and effective tooling.
The redefined CAP to be implemented through the County Engagement Forum (CEF) is tasked with tailoring interventions to the specific vulnerabilities in Marsabit County such as local marginalization, youth unemployment, and online radicalization.
NCTC Chief Liaison Officer Joseph Kanyiri emphasized the need for localized frameworks saying new ideas were necessary if the country was to stay ahead of terrorists.
Mr Kanyiri said the government was also committed to interrogating, counseling, de-radicalization and reintegration of terrorist group returnees and reformed persons.
He spoke during a three-day Review and Remodeling of the County Action Plan (CAP) and training for Marsabit CEF members organized by NTCTC with the support from UNDP and the South Korean Government.
To this end, Mr Kanyiri said harnessing male mentors, women’s watch networks, and spiritual leaders to identify and de-escalate early radicalization especially among youth from fragmented family structures tops the importance of the plan.
He also noted that capacity building of journalists and other media practitioners with tools to report on terrorism and extremism responsibly formed a huge portion of the discussions, and promised action to ensure the fraternity becomes a power for awareness and inclusive exchange of ideas on PCVE.
In his address during the opening and closure of the forum, Marsabit County Commissioner James Kamau emphasized the need for early warning and response for the sake of safer communities ahead of the 2027 General Elections.
Mr Kamau pointed out that the national counter-extremism plan recognizes the youth as active partners and not passive recipients in the fight against the menace.
The County Commissioner underscored that the youth were key stakeholders whose ideas and energy is expected to drive the whole PCVE agenda.
He noted that politicians and political outfits always target the youth for exploitation during campaigns by engaging them in acts of violence, a scenario the government was keen at nipping at the bud this time round.
“When people fight it creates an ungovernable environment, which can easily be exploited by the terrorist groups to recruit youths,” he said and emphasized on the need for the country to remain ahead of time.
The new model revolves around localization, the role of youths, women, community leaders, clergy, tech-savviness against online radicalization, and economic reintegration.
Mr Kamau pointed out that the new approach would enable the media, local leaders, youth, women, and other stakeholders to operate in a harmonious manner.
The new County Action Plan 2025 is anticipated to adapt strategies to local reality, recognize women’s role as peace builders and at times to influence recruitment cycles.
It will also encompass how to use digital platforms creatively to combat extremist narratives especially among youth besides addressing economic vulnerabilities such as climate displacement and poverty through resilience-building projects.
According to the executive director of the Initiative for Progressive Change Mr Hassan Mulata lauded the new CAP as it factors youth male mentors, women mentorship and marginalized groups on board who for a long time have been left out in critical decision making.
Mr Mulata whose sentiments were supported by Sheikh Bashir Somo pointed out that the indication that the CEF will be empowered to create tailored counter-extremism plans as well as countering radical narratives via social media campaigns and online literacy was appropriate.
He expressed satisfaction that sustainability in planning, more robust engagement frameworks and enhanced performance metrics has also been factored in.
“The new structure is not only pre-emptive and inclusive but largely community-centered,” he observed.