An Assessment of Community Based Organizations’ Interventions in Countering Violent Extremism in Isiolo County, Kenya
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Date
2025-04
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Kenyatta University
Abstract
Violent extremism is a threat to community’s peaceful coexistence and poses a threat to the future of youth who engage in this activity. While violent extremism acts are low, the prevalence of violent extremism organization and participation remains reported in some of the marginalized counties in Kenya. Isiolo, is one of the counties where violent extremism activities have been reported. Therefore, this research did an assessment of community-based organizations’ interventions in countering violent extremism in Isiolo County, Kenya. It was guided by four specific objectives: to establish the forms of violent extremism prevalent among youth in Isiolo County; to examine community-based organizations strategies for countering violent extremism among youth in Isiolo County; to identify community-based organisations challenges in countering violent extremism among youth in Isiolo County; and to establish assistance that community-based organisations need to counter violent extremism in Isiolo County. The study was anchored on theory of change. In terms of methodology, the study used mixed method approach. Descriptive survey research design was adopted that targeted 53,217 populations from which a sample size of 100 was determined. Multistage sampling and systematic random sampling approaches were used to sample respondents for the quantitative survey. Purposive, convenience, and snowball sampling were used to select participants for qualitative data. Data analysis involved qualitative and quantitative methods. The statistical package for the Social Sciences Version 26 was used to analyze quantitative data while qualitative data was analyzed thematically. Quantitative data was presented in tables while qualitative data was presented using narratives and quotes. There were more formal than informal community-based organisations operating in Isiolo County countering violent extremism efforts. These community-based organisations were focused on recruitment and radicalization of youth into violent extremism since there were no reported or known cases of violent attacks in the county. Building awareness and trust in their communities was the frequent strategy used by community-based organisations in Isiolo County to countering VE efforts. The research recommends that informal community-based organisations should be supported so as to achieve formal status so as to enjoy more participation the policy formulation processes with county and national governments. Secondly, it is recommended for a multi-faceted method to counter and prevent violent extremism in Isiolo County due to the changing nature of youth radicalization and recruitment that has moved to online platforms.
Description
A Research Project Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Award of the Degree of Master of Arts (Peace and Conflict Management) in the School Law, Arts and Social Sciences of Kenyatta University, April, 2025
Supervisor;
1.Hannah Macharia,