Abstract
This thesis is concerned with the strengths and weaknesses in the implementation of Kenya’s National Strategy for Countering Violent Extremism and its implications. It is argued that Kenya’s National Strategy is reasonably comprehensive but limitations in its implementation, that stem primarily from the predominant militarised and regulative responses to violent extremism, impact on its long term effectivity. This response is informed by the government’s perception of Al-Shabaab and the Salafi-Jihadists as a national security threat. Although the coercive approach has seen a reduction of incidents of violent extremism, it is only a short term solution. This approach has also led to a shift of such incidents to other areas where government presence is limited. Civil society in Kenya, however, in large measure, views violent extremism in the country as generated by the lack of constitutive values, and proposes a normative approach to deal with the challenge. This is a more long term approach. An alternative approach, proposed by some policy-makers (government), civil society organisations and international partners, and one to which this thesis is aligned, combines the former two approaches (regulative rule and constitute values) as a more effective way of countering violent extremism.
The central research questions of this thesis are how has the government sought to counter violent extremism and what are the strengths and weaknesses of its strategies and its implications for violent extremism? The thesis draws on the theory of constructivism, which enables a focus on the ideologies and experiences informing violent extremism and their countermeasures.
The thesis employs a qualitative methodology, primarily through a desktop study of primary and secondary literature and five key informant interviewees. Six strengths and six weaknesses of the strategy were identified. The strengths are: the complementary nature of the strategy (regulative and constitutive values); government goodwill to support CVE processes; vibrant civil society that actively engages in CVE processes and keeps government in check; an emerging community policing initiative; the development of County Actions (these are county specific security and development plans and responses) and the integration of a gendered perspective into the County Action Plans, as well as a working collaboration between the State and the major Stakeholders for violent extremism. A National Centre for Counter Terrorism has also been established to coordinate stakeholder activities. The weaknesses identified are related to: CVE and its application; research priorities; relations between State and Civil Society Organisations and funding. Although there has been an initial decrease in incidents of violent extremism in Kenya the trend is now towards an upswing thereof. This is demonstrated by tables and figures generated by ACCLED and AFROBAROMETER, on Kenya. Overall, the implementation of the strategy requires a more people-driven CVE approach that entails meaningful consultations between all stakeholders.