Terrorism
The government is seeking to review its strategy to counter terrorism and violent extremism activities, as technological advances and artificial intelligence (AI) take shape in self-radicalization, further complicating the fight.
The National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) noted with concern the proliferation of AI technologies and innovations that offered free and open platforms for recruitment including self-recruitment, creating a tyrannical future in the fight against terrorism and extremism.
Nakuru County Commissioner Loyford Kibaara noted the need to lay strategies in reaching out to communities to targeting social economic and political activities that deter radicalization and
“There is need to ensure confidentiality between our security teams and the members of the public who volunteer information to us for action, as a way of safeguarding the information shared and the lives of the parties involved, added Kibaara regretting the operationalization of the terrorist activities were done with the knowledge of the community.
Kibaara, who also chairs the Nakuru County Engagement Forum (CEF) on prevention and countering violent extremism, called on stakeholders to join in the fight through support to County based action plans.
“County governments can also join in, by allocating funds and part of their emergency funds towards community engagement and resilience programmes that would in turn engage vulnerable groups, in addition to the economic boosts to businesses and startups,” he added.
NCTC has also called for input into the National Strategy to Counter Violent Extremism, to incorporate valuable insights and perspectives, that will be tailor made for the ever-changing terrorism landscape. The 2016 strategy that has been in place has driven the implementation of various county action plans with changes meant to build on gains of the existing strategy as well as to monitor and evaluate the impact.
NCTC Member to the Technical Working Group, Paul Songok, noted that terrorism thrived in environments with high criminal gangs, drug abuse and where there was little government presence, hence contributing to the violent extremism.
“Radicalization is not a linear process and those involved may not be identifying themselves with the violent extremism ideology. We have had trends around self-radicalization where new recruits have no contact with advocates of violent extremism with a victim utilizing the available technology to self-radicalize,” added Songok.
Education institutions, impoverished neighbourhood, refugee camps and prisons were flagged out as areas offering platforms for recruitment, with the recruiters targeting vulnerability of those who are not well founded in their belief system. “The socially isolated individuals and those who have been exposed to social violence as well as children traumatized by social ills are also vulnerable to the violent extremism,” added Songok.
The evolving nature of terrorism has necessitated change of strategy in fighting terrorism, with geopolitical differences in the international arena, conflict over resources, poverty and inequality as well as climate change have also been highlighted as future threats likely to drive violent extremism.
Due to the evolving transnational character of terrorism, regional and international partnerships are necessary in countering violent extremism. Nakuru Boda Boda Chairman Samuel Munyi, urged the educational programmes targeting the bodaboda sector were key to help flagout rogues hiding among them.
“Apart from business operations, we are more vigilant with the people we ferry, while working closely with national government administrators to volunteer information that may prevent violent extremism,” added Munyi.
‘Youth bila Noma, advocate, Maimuna Mwinyi, noted that involvement of the youths in counter terrorism activities had gone a long way in the fight against radicalization, citing lack of proper parenting that had driven many to violent extremism.