This day 9 years ago, the country woke up to tragic events of the Garissa University terror attack that took the lives of 147 students while leaving others with trauma and lifelong injuries who live with the tales of the day.
In the memories of all those who were killed, the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) has today launched an online information portal to create and increase public awareness of the threat of violent extremism conducive to terrorism.
The portal, which has been named Jasiri Observatory, will be used to sensitise, inform and empower individuals and communities to understand and respond to violent ideologies peddled by extremist groups.
It will also strengthen ongoing efforts to prevent and counter violent extremism (PCVE), a process that involves directly addressing the underlying drivers of terrorism using non-coercive strategies including counter-messaging, public outreach and de-radicalisation programmes.
Speaking at the launch at the Garissa University, NCTC Director Rosalind Nyawira urged Kenyans to visit the portal to learn more on violent extremism and ways to avoid falling prey to radical ideologies aimed at propagating hate, fear and violence in society.
“Violent extremism is a threat to national security. This portal empowers individuals and communities to identify and discredit violent extremist ideologies, facilitating public dialogue on the threat of violent extremism. We want Kenyans to speak out against violent extremism through this portal, hence the appellation ‘Jasiri’ which is Kiswahili for resilience,” Nyawira said.
She added that Jasiri Observatory will serve as a platform for continuous public dialogue and feedback on PCVE and drive public conversations on fighting extremism. The portal will also enhance efficiency and coordination in implementation of PCVE initiatives by building a strong and integrated network of stakeholders.
“Jasiri is designed as a public repository that anyone can access to learn more about various manifestations of violent extremism,” she said.
“We chose to launch Jasiri during the anniversary of the 2015 Garissa attack, as this is an opportune moment to reflect on the strides made towards making our country safer from terrorism and violent extremism,” she added.
The portal can be accessed through https://jasiri.go.ke
By Erick Kyalo
