Description
Violent extremism is an ambiguous and politically loaded concept. At the national level, the parameters of what could be considered as violent extremism are usually framed by the state, powerful ruling elites and members of the international community through donor-funded projects. Although the Kenyan government labels groups such as the Mombasa Republican Council as an extremist group, the National Strategy on violent extremism is primarily focused on religiously inspired groups such as the Al-Shabaab, Al Muhajiroun and ‘Islamic State’.
Based on field research, in Nairobi and the Coast, this paper explores how violent extremism is conceptualized and experienced at a local level using sense-making as a tool of analysis. I argue that local construction of violent extremism is influenced by lived experiences and identity markers such as gender, ethnicity, social status and geographical location and include issues such as police brutality, gender based violence, and gang related violence. The narrow focus on Islamic extremism in Kenya has created a disconnect between government priorities and programmes and local needs. In order to effectively address violent extremism in Kenya there is a need for redefining violent extremism taking into consideration local perspectives and experiences of violence and insecurity.
