Nairobi — The National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) has initiated the process of reviewing the National Strategy to Counter Violent Extremism (NSVE) to better address evolving threats.
According to Kenya News Agency, the NCTC Head of Prevention and Resilience, the review is necessary to adapt to the ever-changing nature of threats posed by terrorism and violent extremism. The current NSVE document, in use since 2016, has presented challenges that prompted security actors to reevaluate it.
The review process aims to include a diverse range of perspectives, incorporating views from security agencies, the private sector, and civil society organizations. Miiri emphasized the importance of a multi-agency approach and inclusivity in revising the document, stating that the experience gained over the past seven years would inform the changes. The revised strategy will consider both domestic and transnational terrorism factors, as many attacks on Kenyan soil have been linked to international terror cells.
Miiri expressed confidence that the multi-agency approach would effectively diminish the space for violent extremists to radicalize and recruit within Kenya. Stakeholders from Nairobi, Narok, Machakos, Muranga, Kajiado, and Kiambu counties, including government officers, non-state actors, and religious leaders, gathered to discuss the NSVE document.
The updated strategy will aim to equip the public with better knowledge to be more alert to their environments. “It’s time to look at what has worked and change what hasn’t,” said Miiri. He also stressed the importance of public feedback in developing policies that are ahead of potential threats, and he urged communities to counter negative propaganda from terrorism sympathizers.
Moreover, NCTC is developing a program targeted at universities, as it has emerged that terror cells are recruiting and radicalizing students. Miiri clarified that the government does not profile based on religion and that those using religion to justify terrorism are pursuing other interests.
In his remarks, Mohamed Adan Osman, the Chief Executive Officer of Eastleigh Business District Association, emphasized the need to sensitize youth about cohesion and patriotism as key elements in maintaining security. NCTC is an interagency body responsible for coordinating national counter-terrorism efforts as established by the Prevention and Terrorism Act.