The fight against terrorism and violent extremism can only be won if community participation supplements government efforts at the local level, a United Kingdom based experts in security and terrorism related matters said today.
Executive director of Quilliam lobby group, Muhammad Fraser-Rahim and Usama Mohammed head of religious studies of the organization emphasised effective policing can only be achieved right from the grassroots level.
“We need to come up with effective strategy to counter the extremism narrative through shared responsibility between the government and the community as part of the preventive approaches.” Fraser added.
The team spoke yesterday during a symposium organised by the National Counter-Terrorism Center (NCTC) in Nairobi.
“Terrorists have misleading arguments of Islamic traditions. The extremist are hiding behind the curtain of religion. Fighting terrorism needs the support of all of us,” Usama added.
They cited feelings of marginalization, inequalities, unemployment and poverty as some of the push factors to the vulnerable groups mostly the youths.
The government formed a Nyumba Kumi taskforce chaired by former administrator Joseph Kaguthi as part of the efforts to promote community policing and to bridge the gap between civilians and security agencies for effective intelligence gathering.
According to their research, the team said many terrorist groups notably the Al-Qaeda, Isis and the Al Shabaab embrace radical ideologies but hide under the guise of religion to advance their sectarian criminal agenda.
The terror networks are also said to be adjusting their structure through slanted teachings as part of the radicalisation and indoctrination process.
“Many young people are lured to join these groups because of lack of understanding the distorted messages. Many think it is adventurous. Extremism is a global epidemic and unless we do this, we are going to see more recruitment,” Fraser noted.
Quilliam is lobby group that seeks to counter violent extremism.
In 2014, police closed down Darul Irshaade, an Islamic institution in Nguluni-Matungulu in Machakos County believed to be radicalising and indoctrination center of terror agents whose training has extended to Somalia.
According to Intelligence information provided since July 2011 when the institution was put under close surveillance, over 30 students aged between 18 and 30 have been killed over involvement in criminal activities and 10 more are suspected to be undergoing training in Somalia.
In 2013, police raided and closed down Al-Salaam Integrated School in Gilgil for teaching radical Islamic ideologies.
