The government has called for a strengthened multi-sectoral approach in the fight against terrorism, violent extremism and radicalization, emphasizing the need to integrate community-led interventions with intelligence-driven security operations to dismantle terror networks and disrupt recruitment at the grassroots.
Speaking during the closure of a three-day crisis communication training in Garissa, National Government Communication Centre Acting Director General Charles Owino said combating terrorism requires collective responsibility and coordinated action by all stakeholders, including government agencies, the media, civil society and local communities.
The training, organized by the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), brought together representatives from security agencies, government communication officers, journalists and civil society organizations to enhance coordinated crisis communication and counter extremist propaganda.
Owino stressed that terrorism affects the entire society and not just specific individuals or institutions, making unity and collaboration essential in safeguarding national security and social cohesion.
“All organizations and agencies work for the benefit of the public. That is why all stakeholders must work together and speak in one voice to protect the security and integrity of our country,” Owino said.
He further urged the media to strike a careful balance between informing the public and avoiding excessive exposure of terror incidents that could amplify fear and inadvertently serve the objectives of terrorist groups.
“If you go airing graphic images of people who have been injured or killed, what happens is that you end up encouraging the terrorists, because their interest is to instill fear and spread panic,” he cautioned.
The former police spokesperson also called on international partners, particularly from developed countries, to continue supporting Kenya’s counterterrorism efforts, noting that terrorism is a global challenge whose effects transcend borders.
“Terrorism does not affect only one region. It is a global problem. When an attack happens here, it does not affect Kenyans alone but also foreign nationals,” Owino said, citing the 2013 Westgate Mall attack where both Kenyans and foreign citizens lost their lives.
He added that it was in the interest of international partners, including the European Union which supports the programme, to invest in global security initiatives, especially in developing countries that continue to face evolving terror threats.
“If there is support that they can give us, especially considering that some countries are far more developed, it is important they do so because terrorism anywhere can eventually affect them,” Owino noted.
NCTC Chief Liaison Officer for ICT and Strategic Communication Jackson Macharia said the centre is rolling out its strategic plan for the 2026–2030 period, aimed at building a secure, cohesive and resilient nation united against terrorism and violent extremism.
Macharia explained that bringing together all relevant actors enhances coordination, addresses communication gaps and strengthens the country’s ability to respond swiftly and effectively to terror-related incidents.
“NCTC has worked to strengthen youth-focused interventions, multi-stakeholder partnerships and embed crisis communication into the national prevention and countering violent extremism framework,” he said.
He added that the strategic plan prioritizes proactive engagement, resilience-building and coordinated communication to counter extremist narratives and propaganda.
“We are in the rollout of our strategic plan for 2025–2030, which seeks to build a secure, cohesive and resilient nation that rejects violent extremism,” Macharia said.
Macharia noted that the Garissa workshop equipped participants with practical crisis communication skills through interactive simulations, case studies and joint exercises, enhancing preparedness for coordinated responses during terror incidents.
“This workshop brought together key communication practitioners from government, civil society and the media to build practical skills in crisis communication and coordinated responses to extremist propaganda, ultimately saving lives through faster and more effective action,” he added.
Participants welcomed the initiative, saying improved collaboration and information sharing would strengthen trust between communities, security agencies and the media, a critical factor in preventing radicalization and responding to security threats.
The government reiterated its commitment to inclusive, whole-of-society approaches that combine security operations with community engagement, strategic communication and international cooperation to counter terrorism and violent extremism.
By Erick Kyalo
