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The government will adopt softer approaches that include the involvement of youth and religious leaders in fighting the complex and dynamic threat of violent extremism, following the adoption of the second National Counter Terrorism Strategy.

The softer approaches, said to be preventive and proactive, will involve use of religious leaders to offer counter narratives that debunk misinformation, the National Government Administrative Officers (NGAOs) and the youth who are the most vulnerable.

The director of the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) Kibiego Kigen has said that though the security agencies have deployed a variety of robust military measures, also referred to as hard approach, the threat of extremism and radicalisation still persists.

The new strategy, to be tabled before the National Security Council (NSC) and the President for adoption, seeks to fill these gaps, address emerging issues, and complement law enforcement measures with strategies that win the hearts and minds of Kenyans.

Since most of the violent extremists are linked to radical ideology and focus on recruiting youth, the strategy will also involve the use of religious leaders to give the true messages.

Nairobi Regional Commissioner Katee Mwanzia said the 2024-29 strategy aims at bringing together segments of society that were not fully involved in the development of the initial strategy.

Some of the emerging threats that the country is facing regarding violent extremism include the spread of misinformation via digital platforms and the advertisement of fake jobs that end up being violent extremist recruitment channels.