The government is seeking to review its strategy to counter terrorism and violent extremism activities, as technological advances and artificial intelligence (AI) take shape in self-radicalization, further complicating the fight.
The National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) noted with concern the proliferation of AI technologies and innovations that offered free and open platforms for recruitment, including self-recruitment, creating a tyrannical future in the fight against terrorism and extremism.
Nakuru County Commissioner Loyford Kibaara noted the need to lay out strategies for reaching out to communities and targeting social, economic, and political activities that deter radicalization.
“There is a need to ensure confidentiality between our security teams and the members of the public who volunteer information to us for action, as a way of safeguarding the information shared and the lives of the parties involved, added Kibaara, regretting that the operationalization of the terrorist activities were done with the knowledge of the community.
Kibaara, who also chairs the Nakuru County Engagement Forum (CEF) on prevention and countering violent extremism, called on stakeholders to join in the fight through support for county-based action plans.
“County governments can also join in, by allocating funds and part of their emergency funds towards community engagement and resilience programmes that would in turn engage vulnerable groups, in addition to the economic boosts to businesses and startups,” he added.
The NCTC has also called for input into the National Strategy to Counter Violent Extremism, to incorporate valuable insights and perspectives, that will be tailor-made for the ever-changing terrorism landscape.
The 2016 strategy that has been in place has driven the implementation of various county action plans, with changes meant to build on the gains of the existing strategy as well as monitor and evaluate the impact.
NCTC Member to the Technical Working Group, Paul Songok, noted that terrorism thrived in environments with high criminal gangs and drug abuse and where there was little government presence, hence contributing to violent extremism.
“Radicalization is not a linear process, and those involved may not be identifying themselves with the violent extremism ideology. We have had trends around self-radicalization where new recruits have no contact with advocates of violent extremism, with a victim utilising the available technology to self-radicalise,” added Songok.
Education institutions, impoverished neighbourhoods, refugee camps, and prisons were flagged out as areas offering platforms for recruitment, with recruiters targeting the vulnerability of those who are not well founded in their belief system.
“Socially isolated individuals and those who have been exposed to social violence, as well as children traumatised by social ills, are also vulnerable to violent extremism,” added Songok.
The evolving nature of terrorism has necessitated a change of strategy in fighting terrorism, with geopolitical differences in the international arena, conflict over resources, poverty, and inequality, as well as climate change, being highlighted as future threats likely to drive violent extremism.
Due to the evolving transnational character of terrorism, regional and international partnerships are necessary to counter violent extremism.
Nakuru Boda Boda Chairman Samuel Munyi, said the educational programmes targeting the bodaboda sector were key to helping flag out rogues hiding among them.
“Apart from business operations, we are more vigilant with the people we ferry, while working closely with national government administrators to volunteer information that may prevent violent extremism,” added Munyi.
Youth bila Noma Advocate, Maimuna Mwinyi, noted that the involvement of youths in counter-terrorism activities had gone a long way in the fight against radicalization, citing a lack of proper parenting that had driven many to violent extremism.
By Anne Mwale
