Addressing push factors to violent extremism through socio- economic empowerment
On 20 December 2022, the UN General Assembly declared 12th February, an international day for the prevention of violent extremism to raise awareness of the threats linked to violent extremism, push factors for recruitment, and enhance international cooperation.
MIDIFT HURINET through the ARIVE and RPS project funded by @GCERF and @Danida through ACT! seeks to address the push and pull factors for Violent
Extremism through a multi-sectoral collaboration with state and non-state actors.
Nakuru County, like other counties in Kenya, suffers a high incidence of poverty, income inequalities, deprivation, tribal conflict etc. which can feed destructively into hatred, lack of sense of belonging, resource competition, politics, and aiding criminality. These ills continue to flourish in the context of an increasing number of unemployed youths in the county and increasing levels of drug and substance abuse. A majority of youth are displaying low levels of hope for a prosperous and legal future. Baseline research on Nakuru by the Institute for Strategic Dialogue (ISD) PROACT Project points to ongoing radicalization and recruitment and that terror groups such as Alshabab are establishing a foothold in Nakuru.
To address the vulnerabilities to VE, MIDRIFT in collaboration with the Nakuru County Engagement Forum (CEF) is anchoring at-risk individuals in the communities with economic opportunities social linkages, and to create a sense of belonging especially for women, youth, and the vulnerable communities to reduce pull and push factors towards violence. In Nakuru, the youth and women have started empowerment programs by forming groups to engage in projects such as car wash services, poultry farming, and beekeeping to address poverty-related challenges. MIDRIFT is also strengthening levels of trust in the communities and the government by advocating for proper governance to disrupt the path of recruitment to violent extremism.
