Countering Violent Extremism in Kenya

John Mwangi Githigaro was formerly a lecturer in peace and conflict studies at St. Paul's University in Kenya and is now an independent scholar.

• AcknowledgmentsIntroduction: Context and MethodologyChapter 1: Kenya’s Experiences with Terrorism in the Pre and Post 9-11 Chapter 2: Security Officials’ Perception of Extremism and Counter-Violent Extremism in KenyaChapter 3: Community Perspectives on Extremism and Violent Extremism in Nairobi Chapter 4: Community Perspectives on Countering Violent Extremism in Mombasa CountyChapter 5: Post Script: Dilemmas in Implementing CT and CVE Interventions in KenyaConclusionReferencesAuthor the Author

This slender volume analyzes the changing landscape of violent extremism (VE) and countervailing efforts in Kenya, arguably Africa’s focal point of this global affliction. Nairobi-based independent scholar Githigaro investigates how different stakeholders—security actors, society, scholars, and local communities—experience and perceive extremism and its countermeasures. He bases his study on several years of fieldwork and interviews in Nairobi and Mombasa, informed by existing literature and complementary theories of political socialization, securitization, and social movements. Kenya’s concerted efforts to address VE have evolved from its initial, state-centric, “hard power” strategies to incorporate community-focused, “soft power” approaches. Githigaro identifies various flaws, missteps, and shortcomings that continue to hinder public trust and cooperation and offers some broad recommendations for enhancing community engagement. By highlighting the various voices and discourses surrounding VE at multiple levels and in different social contexts, his work reinforces the current trend toward more holistic, nuanced, and sensitive assessments and policy responses. Recommended. Advanced undergraduates through faculty; professionals.