Malindi Deputy County Commissioner (DCC) Harrison Matevwa has urged residents to remain vigilant against unscrupulous religious organisations, warning that such groups can serve as conduits for terrorism and violent extremism.
Speaking during a community engagement forum at Shakahola Dispensary in Chakama Location, Langobaya Division, on Monday, Matevwa called for the early detection and reporting of suspicious religious activities to avert future tragedies.
The forum was organised by the National Counter-Terrorism Centre (NCTC) as part of an ongoing nationwide campaign to strengthen community resilience against terrorism and violent extremism.
Mr. Matevwa warned that unchecked radical teachings could lead to disasters similar to those witnessed in Shakahola and Kwa Binzaro, where hundreds of people lost their lives.
The DCC directed divisional security and intelligence committees, village elders and Nyumba Kumi ambassadors to intensify surveillance within their respective areas, saying grassroots vigilance remains critical in preventing the spread of extremist ideologies.
“As government representatives, we are reminding citizens to be especially cautious about religious matters because religion has the power either to build or destroy communities,” he said.
Matevwa cautioned that religious groups promoting socially isolating or misleading doctrines pose a serious threat to public safety and urged residents to examine the backgrounds of religious sects and scrutinise their teachings before joining them.
He appealed to members of the public to report any religious organisation whose teachings deviate from recognised sacred scriptures so that the authorities can investigate and prevent unsuspecting followers from being misled.
The administrator also encouraged local security committees to remain visible within communities by conducting regular public barazas to understand residents’ concerns and address emerging security threats.
“People are often misled when they are desperate and vulnerable. Without support, they can easily fall prey to deceitful individuals. Regular meetings enable security agencies to hear directly from the people and respond effectively,” he said.
Langobaya Assistant Commissioner Brian Kirui told the meeting that the division has more than 200 churches, about 80 of which are located in the Shakahola area.
Grace Kaparo of the National Counter-Terrorism Centre said the agency had embarked on a county-by-county public awareness campaign to educate communities on the dangers of terrorism and violent extremism, as well as how to recognise early warning signs before individuals become radicalised.
Dr Othman Mujaahid, a lecturer at Pwani University and a member of the NCTC, sensitised residents on indicators of radicalisation. He urged parents to play a more active role in protecting their children from extremist influences and violent ideologies.
The meeting briefly took an unexpected turn when a young man interrupted the proceedings, claiming to be “the way, the truth and the life” and declaring before the gathering that he was the solution to the Shakahola radicalisation crisis.
Security officers restored order and the meeting proceeded without further disruption.
By Emmanuel Masha
