Legislators are seeking to form a select committee to address radicalisation and extremism.The Parliament wants 17 legislators to establish the causes of radicalisation and come up with ways to address the vice.
It was said that national security, peace and stability are integral to national development. Kega says MPs are worried about Kenya’s stability as the country continues to be susceptible to sporadic terror attacks by militant groups.
“The escalating incidents of terrorism and violence could be attributed to radicalisation of young people. The number of youth being lured or coerced into joining radical terrorist organizations continues to increase,” Kega says.
He says despite the history of extremism and radicalisation, little empirical inquiry has been conducted to determine the forces behind youth vulnerability to religious and other forms of radicalisation.
“Spontaneous and reactionary government responses in combating extremism and radicalisation has borne little fruit. There is a need for a comprehensive understanding of factors behind radicalisation and extremism,” Kega says. He is now seeking to establish the committee to inquire, and report within 90 days, the circumstances and forces behind vulnerability of youth to radicalisation.
MPs proposed to join the committee are Yusuf Hassan (Kamukunji), Mishi Mboko (Mombasa woman representative), Chachu Ganya (North Horr), Kimani Ngunjiri (Bahati) and David Ochieng (Ugenya).
Others are Florence Kajuju (Meru woman representative), Bare Shill (Fafi), Mohammed Mahamud (Mandera West), Richard Tong’i (Nyaribari Chache) and Christopher Nakuleu (Turkana North).