A human rights lobby has launched programmes to visit schools at the Coast in a bid to quell the extremism and radicalisation problem among students in the region.
Human Rights Agenda-HURIA, said that since youth were the most affected with the problem, it has taken steps to contain the problems within schools so that young task do not engage in extremism activities.
Speaking in Mombasa on Monday, Executive Director Yusuf Lule Mwatsefu said that for extremism and radicalization issues to be tamed, then the efforts should begin at school.
Lule said though the situation was relatively calm, human rights organizations, security agents and other stakeholders should not relent but pursue the issue with all the efforts.
He said that the programmes is launched after an assessment in various secondary schools in Mombasa, Kilifi, Kwale and Lamu Counties which revealed some students had strong perception on ideologies related to extremism and radicalisation.
“Since we cannot fight ideologies by using excessive force then we should employ social approach in taming radicalisation among the youth,” said Lule.
He said that the programmes will start in Mombasa County where by human rights defenders from the organisation will have various dialogues with students on their understanding of Extremism and radicalisation and how they can detach from the problem.
“We call on the county government of Mombasa, the Ministry of education and the security agents to join efforts so that the efforts positive impact the students and Coastal community,” he said.
The human rights defender has revealed that youth were delicate and would be easily lured into joining extremist groups if the gap between them and the community is not sealed.