Radicalisation among Kenyan youths has been a huge challenge that the country is grappling with.
Most of the youths who have fallen prey to radicalisation were lured into the sect with the promise of handsome monetary rewards, but end up taking away many innocent lives with their terrorist acts.
In a survey done by Twaweza between August 15 and September 6, 2016, “More than half of the citizens think that the lack of employment explains the appeal of radical groups.
”Further, “six out of ten citizens worry about radical groups trying to recruit their family members.”
The most affected areas are Coast region, informal settlements in Nairobi and North Eastern region of the country with educated youths in our universities being a soft target for Al Shabaab – a Somali-based militia group.
In April 2015, Al Shabaab fighters stormed Garissa University and gruesomely killed 148 students and teachers in what has remained to be one of the country’s most painful terrorist attacks.
The Kenyan government together with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has in the past launched programmes aimed at countering violent extremism in the country.
But Lenga Ugaidi na Talanta - an initiative that seeks to channel youth creativity towards countering violent extremism, has since last year launched a youth interactive competition to fight radicalisation.
This year, anyone under the age of 35, and is a filmmaker, poet, musician, or animator and is interested is encouraged to apply for the competition.
The winner stands a chance to win Sh500, 000.
The participants are required to submit a five-minute video highlighting any of the following themes:
1. Peer responsibility (Identifying early warning signs of radicalization among peers)
2. How to effectively and responsibly respond to terror attacks
3.The role of Social Media in radicalisation and Terrorism
4.The role of women and children in radicalisation and Terrorism
5.The true meaning of Jihad
The competition runs until November 26, and the winner will be announced on December 5.