The National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) has cautioned Kenyans against joining religions that are propagating wrong teachings which breed radicalisation and extremism in the country.
Speaking to the Busia County Engagement Forum (CEF) during a sensitisation on the National Strategy to Prevent Counter Violent Extremism 2025-2030, Joseph Kanyiri from NCTC underscored the need for Kenyans to be on alert in order to avoid becoming victims of violent and religious extremism.
“We are calling on all Kenyans to be vigilant and understand the kind of religion they join. We want them to be in a religion that is entrusted to the holy books and the true word of God. We have recently witnessed many religions coming up with wrong teachings that are misleading and causing harm to many families, including loss of life,” he said.
Kanyiri called on the local administrators and stakeholders to help in ensuring that extremism is not experienced.
“The local administration and all of us should be watchful and make any reports to the government so that these cases can be managed before they cause a crisis.
Let’s ensure we work with the national government towards civic education for locals against religious leaders who are out to brainwash innocent citizens with radicalisation and extreme teachings that affect our national integration,” he appealed.
He stated that the organisation has made efforts in creating awareness among the members of the public on extremism.
“We have done a lot of awareness on the violent and religious extremism and how to prevent it. They have developed the willingness to report these cases when encountered. We have also seen more participation from many stakeholders, creating a whole-of-society approach in dealing with violent extremism,” he noted.
Dhamira moja CBO Executive Director Sarah Martha said as Civil Society Organisations, they would be moving to the society to educate them to be part of a mechanism in dealing with extremism.
“As civil societies, we have been at the forefront of sensitising the community on various issues. From here we are going to ensure the members of the community, especially the youth, have been sensitised to the violent extremism, as they are mostly affected. We will inform the society on the early warnings and respond so that they can also help in prevention measures for religion and violent extremism,” she said.
Martha pointed out that the internet is the main area of recruitment of youth and promised to engage much in online education and sensitisation “so that our people can learn and understand the dangers that come with the technology”.
Busia County Bodaboda Chairman Bonface Okumu said his sector is always at the receiving end in aiding to move people from Kenya to Uganda, promising to educate his team on extremism.
“My call to all people in this sector is let’s not be deceived because terrorism doesn’t pay. Let’s do our work according to the law. Through our forums, I am going to educate members of my team so that together we can stop the extremism,” he said.
Sheikh Mohammad Oyolo, Imam of Jamia Mosque in Busia, said they would be taking the messages to the places of worship to ensure many people are reached.
“For a long time, our religion has been perceived to be involved in extremism. But lately, we have seen people from other religions involved in extremism. This clearly shows that extremism is not a religious issue; it can be practised by anyone, hence the need for the whole community to be sensitised,” Sheikh Oyolo said.
By Salome Alwanda
