A recent study by the National Crime Research Center (NCRC) has found that Kenya's County Action Plans (CAPs) have had limited success in preventing women's radicalisation and recruitment into violent extremist groups. The research, which covered eleven counties, including Mombasa, Lamu, and Nairobi, involved interviews with officials, security agencies, and women's leaders. The study revealed that while most counties had drafted CAPs, they were rarely used to design or deliver prevention programs.
The study's findings indicate that implementation of CAPs was low across all counties, resulting in fragmented interventions and poor coordination among organisations working on counter-extremism. Most programs did not specifically target women, instead listing them as part of a broader beneficiary pool. This limited attention to the specific drivers of radicalisation among women. The study also found that media campaigns and education-based outreach were effective tools for reaching women, particularly when delivered through trusted community structures.
The research highlighted the scarcity of women-specific programs, with a few notable exceptions. The "Mothers in Solidarity" project by YADEN East Africa was cited as an example of a program that brings together women affected by radicalisation. Additionally, grassroots groups like the Agatha Foundation in Kwale provide psychosocial support and economic empowerment to women. These programs demonstrate the potential for targeted initiatives to make a positive impact.
The study's authors identified several factors that contribute to the limited effectiveness of CAPs. Weak institutionalisation, inadequate funding, and limited monitoring hinder the ability to assess the impact of these plans. The lack of gender-disaggregated data also makes it difficult to understand the specific needs and drivers of radicalisation among women.
To address these challenges, the study recommends sustained financing for CAPs, integration into County Integrated Development Plans, and stronger monitoring and evaluation led by the National Counter Terrorism Centre. The study also suggests greater involvement of women's networks in the design of CAPs to ensure that they are effective and responsive to the needs of women.
The NCRC study covered programs in eleven counties, including Mombasa, Lamu, Kwale, Garissa, Wajir, Isiolo, Nyeri, Kisumu, Bungoma, Nakuru, and Nairobi. A total of 107 key-informant interviews and 22 focus-group discussions were conducted with officials, security agencies, civil society, religious, and women's leaders. The study provides a comprehensive assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of CAPs in preventing women's radicalisation.
The study's findings have significant implications for the development and implementation of CAPs in Kenya. By addressing the challenges identified in the report, the government and other stakeholders can work to prevent women's recruitment into violent extremist groups and promote more effective counter-extremism strategies.
Key points
- Weak implementation, funding gaps, and poor coordination limit the effectiveness of County Action Plans in preventing women's radicalisation.
- Media campaigns and education-based outreach are effective tools for reaching women, particularly when delivered through trusted community structures.
- Sustained financing, integration of CAPs into County Integrated Development Plans, and stronger monitoring and evaluation are necessary to improve the impact of these plans.
