Do not ignore threats of youth radicalisation in Kenya, leaders advised

Muslims follow proceedings at Tononoka grounds in Mombasa to mark the end of the holy month of Ramadhan. [PHOTO: MAARUFU MOHAMMED/STANDARD]

Nairobi - Community leaders have called on the government to play its part in making the youth less vulnerable to radicalisation and violent extremism in the country.

Speaking on Sunday in Nairobi's Eastleigh area, the leaders said that the government in partnership with local communities need to work together to cushion youths from being lured by criminal and terrorist groups that take advantage of their vulnerability.

Convener for Muslims for Human Rights Al Amin Kimathi also called for rehabilitation of youths that were part of organised criminal gangs in Eastleigh and other parts of the country as they can easily start collaborating with or joining terrorist groups.

He cited the case of the "Superpower gang" in Eastleigh and others in the country that has been terrorising Kenyans, saying the youth in such groups can quickly turn to terrorism if their activities are not addressed by robust law enforcement and rehabilitation.

He said that youths are still active in such groups and are well known to the security agencies, but are usually let scot-free after parting with huge bribes to the police, instead of being kept behind bars.

"It is a fact that organised criminal gangs can easily become terrorist groups. It is time to address such an issue to make them, productive members of the society," he said during a seminar for youths in Eastleigh.

He said violence that was experienced in Mombasa in the recent years was as a result of criminal gangs that had been lured into terrorism by some leaders taking advantage of their limited religious knowledge.

Eastleigh Community activist Ahmed Mohammed called on the government to help address the high incidences of youth unemployment which makes youths easily lured into criminal activities.

He said that most youths in Eastleigh and other parts of the country cannot access higher education and job opportunities since their applications for identity documents have been pending for several years.

"We also suggest that the state can develop vocational training institutions in Eastleigh and other parts of the country that are vulnerable to recruitment into criminal and terrorist activities," he said.

He also called on parents to keep a close eye on their children to prevent them from being lured by terrorist and criminal groups that may be targeting them.

They were speaking during a closing ceremony for a month-long seminar organised for youths in Eastleigh to raise awareness against terrorism.

The seminars were organised by the Peace and Awareness Youth Group (PAYG), a Community Based organisation based in Eastleigh estate which also runs job placement programmes for youths to reduce the high levels of youth unemployment.

PAYG Chairperson Mustafa Weyrah said that their aim is to build awareness among youths about Islam being a religion of moderation and peaceful co-existence with other communities

"We want youths to steer away from any violent activities and terrorism since that goes against the spirit and teachings of our religion which teaches us to avoid extremes but stay in the middle and moderate path," he said.