Violent Extremism in Kenya

The causes and drivers of violent extremism are diverse due to the evolving nature of the phenomena or the state¿s structural conditions. In the case of Kenya, multiple factors have conspired since 2011 in creating conducive environment contributing to an escalation of terror threats and attacks. At the heart of the matter have been Kenyäs government Counter Terrorist (CT) strategy in Kenya and Somalia. Prior to Kenyäs military incursion in Somalia on the premise of disintegrating capabilities of the al-Shabaab group, the country was to a certain extent, a secondary target of terrorism. Four years on, Kenya has evolved from a secondary target of terrorism to a primary target, development that has challenged country¿s peace and security. What factors have contributed to the evolution of Kenya to a primary target of terror from a violent non-state actor like al-Shabaab? How has that evolution affected Kenyäs peace and security? Within this prevailing challenge, it¿s recommended that Kenya review its Counter Terrorist strategy and have in place a robust Counter-Violent Extremism Strategy with a ¿softer-community¿ approach to supplement a reviewed Counter Terrorism (CT) strategy.