The Nature, Extent and Impact of Youth Radicalization in Mombasa and Kwale Counties, Kenya

Abstract

Academics and policy makers globally have made significant attempts to develop an understanding of processes through which individuals especially the youth align themselves to individuals with violent extremist ideologies which are a global threat. Kenya has attempted to minimize youth radicalization following a number of terror attacks in its territory. Despite many youths having been arrested, prosecuted or even eliminated, youth radicalization is still on the rise. Anchoring on the social identity theory, the criminal justice theory and the psychoanalysis theory, the study examined the nature, extent, and impact of youth radicalization in Mombasa and Kwale Counties. Descriptive survey design was adopted. The target population was 320 from which stratified simple random sampling was used to select a sample size of 96 respondents representing 30% of the target population. Both primary and secondary data were used. Validity and reliability of data were tested using Cronbach’s alpha. Data was analyzed and presented using descriptive statistics; percentages, frequencies, means and standard deviations. The finding of specific objective one was that youth radicalization into violent extremism and terrorism in the two counties was as a result of historical, religious, political, economic, social, geographical and criminal justice perceived injustices. The study recommends that measures should be put in place to resolve historical injustices since the youth feel that they have been suffocated when it comes to competing for jobs as a result of the historical injustice. There is need for affirmative action in relation to the youth from the study area. Community policing is encouraged to be able to assist the law enforcement agents when investigating specific cases and that community can come up with early warning mechanisms wherever there are signs of radicalization in a specific area within the counties.