Violent extremists are exploiting the vulnerability of Kenyan youth to radicalise and recruit them, the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) has warned.

NCTC Director Kigen Kibiego said economic hardship, marginalisation, lack of education opportunities among other factors had made the youth vulnerable and the government has already adopted a multi-pronged approach to build and enhance their resilience.

 “Over the years, extremist groups have adapted tactics preying on the vulnerabilities of the youth. This reality underscores the urgency for more coordinated and inclusive approaches in the preventing and countering violent extremism sector to countering these threats,” said Kibiego.

He added: “The challenges require a multi-stakeholder approach that would build resilience against the lure of the extremists.”

Kenya is currently hosting a seminar dubbed “Implementation of NSPCVE 2025-2030 in Practice: A Focus on Youth Engagement and Marginalization in PCVE in Kenya.

In 2024, NCTC held a national public participation exercise to review and refresh the National Strategy to Counter Violent Extremism (NSCVE), now rebranded as the National Strategy for Countering and Preventing Violent Extremism (NSPCVE).

The dialogue seeks to address the pressing challenges hindering meaningful youth participation in preventing violent extremism organized by Sharp Development Solutions (SDS)Consulting, YADEN East Africa, Champions of Peace – Kenya, and Grassroots Impact Advisors, in partnership with the NCTC.

It is also expected to develop actionable solutions for enhancing youth resilience and engagement.

In a speech read on his behalf by Colonel Emmanuel Chirchir, the NCTC director said by prioritising youth engagement and empowerment, the strategy acknowledges the unique position young people occupy in Kenya’s social and economic fabric.

“The countrywide dialogue provides an opportunity to address these gaps and strengthen the collective response. The successful implementation of the strategy requires a rallying call to all stakeholders to join hands,” he said.

Agents of change

Kibiego said the youth should be empowered as agents of change rather than exploited as instruments of destruction.

“The strategy seeks to align the country’s policies and programs with the realities faced by the Kenyan youth,” he added.

As part of the multi-pronged approach, counties have also developed laws to prevent violent extremism and radicalization within their departments and protect vulnerable people from radicalization and recruitment.

The laws, based on the unique security challenges, will establish county institutions to provide linkages between national law enforcement agencies and community structures in the prevention of violent extremism in the respective counties.

Internal Security Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo said the Prevention of Violent Extremism (PVE) Model Bill is a framework that provides counties with the tools to effectively integrate prevention strategies into their governance structures.

“It also mainstreams funding for these initiatives, foster collaboration between national and county governments, and empower communities to take a proactive role in combating extremism,” he said.

There are diverse manifestations of violent extremism, including banditry rooted in cultural practices, which has fueled inter-community violence, and the Shakahola tragedy, which exposed the evolving nature of extremist ideologies.

The government is also enhancing community-driven and culturally sensitive approaches and also adopted softer approaches that include the involvement of youth and religious leaders.

Counter narrative

The softer approaches, said to be preventive and proactive, will involve use of religious leaders to offer counter narrative that debunk misinformation about extremism.

The first strategy, developed in 2016, was reactive and focused more on enforcing the laws, and was later updated in 2024.

Though the security agencies have deployed a variety of robust military measures, also referred to as hard approach, the threat of extremism and radicalization still persists. The NCTC now focusses soft approaches.

The policy dialogue seeks to reflect on the NSPCVE 2025-2030 and its impact on youth engagement; identify policy and structural barriers preventing meaningful youth participation; and explore strategies for fostering inclusive and sustainable PCVE efforts.

Focus is on strengthening policy coherence, inter-agency coordination, and the integration of PCVE messaging into national youth development programs.

“By bringing together representatives from government ministries, security agencies, civil society, international development partners, and youth organisations, this dialogue will provide a platform for candid discussions, knowledge exchange, and the formulation of concrete recommendations to inform Kenya’s PCVE efforts,” NCTC said.

NCTC has also prioritised rehabilitation over retribution, and has changed how it addresses violent extremism.

SDS’ Rahab Wangari said the youth will also be involved in government projects including the Ajira programme.

Currently, the Kenyan youth working under the National Climate Resilience Programme are working on activities aimed at eliminating the illegal dumping of solid waste and discharge of effluent in urban areas to build climate resilience and restore natural ecosystems.

The programme, commonly referred to as Climate WorX, integrates the young people into the national climate agenda, and leverages labour-intensive projects to extend job opportunities to the vulnerable youth.