The role of non-state actors' counter-radicalization programs in the fight against terrorism in Kamukunji sub-county, Nairobi county, Kenya

Abstract

The study aimed at determining the role of non-state actors‟ counter-radicalization programs in the fight against terrorism in Kamukunji sub-county, Nairobi County, Kenya. The specific objectives of the study were to examine the methods and processes of the counter-radicalization programs employed by various non-state actors in the fight against terrorism, evaluate the non-state actors‟ perception of the performance of the counter-radicalization programs in the fight against terrorism and assess the efficacy of existing government policies in countering-radicalization in the fight against terrorism in Kamukunji Sub-County, Nairobi County, Kenya. This study was anchored on the tenets of the Cognitive Dissonance Theory and the Schema Theory. The study adopted an exploratory research design, and the study population of 763 comprised of religious leaders, Public Benefit Organization (PBO) representatives, security leaders and community leaders. The sample was calculated using 10% of the population and 76 respondents was statistically significant. Quota sampling method was used to obtain the population strata and thereafter purposive sampling was used to obtain the sample from each strata. A questionnaire was administered to the religious leaders and PBO representatives and face to face interviews carried out with heads of the community and security to corroborate the responses from the questionnaire. The reliability of the study was tested and Cronbach Alpha value of 0.86 obtained. The validity of the findings was ensured by consulting supervisors. A total of 67 questionnaires was finally analysed achieving a response rate of 88% and quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and presented in figures and tables. Qualitative data was analyzed using thematic analysis and presented in verbatim. The study found that skills and vocational training on countering terrorism was the most used education and re-education strategy. There were also global partnerships for educations, career guidance initiatives, demobilization and reintegration programs and counter-terrorism studies in schools. Public involvement was done through public barazas, community dialogues, Nyumba Kumi meetings, making of local laws, information sharing concerning youths in the area and self-help groups meetings. The study concluded that non-state actors perceived counter-radicalization strategies to be successful and recommends that since the duration and impact of programs employed were cited to be too short and not efficient enough respectively, non-state actors should extend their methods and strategies to enough length of time required to reach all targeted areas.