The National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), in collaboration with development partners, has reaffirmed its commitment to countering violent extremism through a new strategy that prioritizes youth engagement and empowerment. Speaking during a high-level policy dialogue seminar on the “Implementation of NSCVE 2025-2030 in Practice,” NCTC Chief Liaison Officer Colonel Emmanuel Chirchir emphasized the need for a more inclusive approach to tackling radicalization and terrorism in Kenya.
The forum, organized in partnership with Sharp Development Solutions (SDS), YADEN East Africa, Champions of Peace – Kenya, and Grassroots Impact Advisors, was supported by the Embassy of the Netherlands. The discussion centered on addressing youth marginalization and ensuring economic empowerment as a key strategy to prevent radicalization.
Colonel Chirchir highlighted that Kenya has learned valuable lessons from the previous National Strategy to Counter Violent Extremism, which ended in 2024. The new NSCVE 2025-2030 framework focuses on inclusivity, recognizing the critical role youth play in national security.
“We have realized that the fight against terrorism begins with radicalization. If we can prevent radicalization before it escalates to violent extremism, we can significantly reduce terrorism cases in Kenya, the region, and even globally,” he said.
He noted that while Kenya has made progress in reducing the threat of terrorism through hard security measures, a more comprehensive approach involving economic and social solutions is necessary. The strategy seeks to address the vulnerabilities that extremist groups exploit, such as unemployment, poverty, and social exclusion.
Rahab Wangari from Sharp Development Solutions emphasized the importance of integrating government programs to support youth economically. She pointed out that existing initiatives such as Kazi Mtaani, the Ajira Digital Program, and the Youth Enterprise Development Fund must be coordinated to reach the most vulnerable groups.
“There are hard-to-reach youth, young mothers, and those in the informal sector who may not be aware of these opportunities. Our goal is to create mechanisms that ensure they can access economic resources and build resilience against radicalization,” Wangari stated.
The forum also discussed the role of county governments in implementing the NSCVE at the grassroots level. County Action Plans on PCVE have been established to decentralize efforts and engage local communities effectively.
Despite various donor-funded initiatives supporting PCVE efforts, stakeholders acknowledged gaps in funding and implementation. Wangari noted that while international donors provide financial support, the Kenyan government has the primary responsibility of funding youth empowerment programs.
“We recognize that the government has the largest budget allocation for youth programs. However, donors also play a crucial role in supplementing these efforts through targeted projects such as university outreach and entrepreneurship training,” she added.
A major barrier to youth accessing empowerment funds is bureaucratic requirements, such as national identification cards. In response, President William Ruto recently directed the Ministry of Interior to waive the KSh 300 fee required for acquiring ID cards, a move expected to facilitate greater access to government resources.
Although the NSCVE 2025-2030 strategy is yet to be officially signed by the President, Colonel Chirchir confirmed that its implementation is already underway. Relevant agencies, including county commissioners and civil society organizations, have been briefed on their roles in the strategy’s execution.
State and non-state actors have been urged to actively involve the youth in combating violent extremism through mentorship, awareness programs, and economic empowerment. The policy dialogue underscored that defeating terrorism requires a collective effort, with youth positioned as agents of positive change rather than victims of radicalization.
As Kenya intensifies its fight against violent extremism, the success of the new strategy will depend on sustained collaboration among government agencies, civil society, and international partners.