COUNTERING VIOLENT EXTREMISM

REINVENT’s approach to CVE envisions an effective CVE policy framework with strong national, county, community and CVE actor’s engagement. Amongst Kenya’s security challenges is the threat presented by violent extremist (VE) activities. REINVENT’s approach to CVE envisions an effective CVE policy framework backed by national and county level implementation with a strong community and CVE actor engagement.

REINVENT PROGRAMME APPROACH

1

Works with national and county institutions on CVE policy, including the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) to revise and implement national frameworks for the implementation of the National CVE Strategy (NSCVE).

2

Builds on existing relationships with the National Police Service (NPS) to articulate and delineate its role and the quality of CVE policing responses in vulnerable communities.

3

Works with key state and non-state actors, local partners and local communities to mobilise support for the County Action Plans (CAPs).

4

Identifies alienating factors and creates platforms to establish trust between security agencies and communities.

5

Utilises findings from continuous monitoring and evaluation exercises to identify emerging trends, provide new insights into violent extremism dynamics.

Success Story

Placing Community Actors at the Frontline of Prevention of Violent Extremism

In Kenya’s coastal region, the County of Lamu remains one of the most affected by threat of violent extremism by Al Shabaab. Kiunga Youth Bunge Initiative, a community-based organisation based in Lamu convened a training for religious leaders and Madrassa teachers, seeking to build the capacity and understating among religious leaders and key community actors in terms of how they complement national CVE efforts. A key lesson emerging from this pilot intervention was the centrality of community influencers such as Madrassa teachers and religious leaders in shaping community and State responses to de-radicalisation, counter-narratives and anti-recruitment interventions. The recommendations from the workshop provided a useful framework for designing and implementing effective interventions dealing with community- Government relations.