Nairobi – 25th July, 2023
The County Governors’ Watch held a workshop for Trainer of Trainers who will be instrumental in the domestication of the County Action Plan and the Prevention of Violent Extremism Act at the Community Level.
Speaking during the training Mr. Raphael Kinyungu Deputy Director, for Early Childhood Education Development (ECDE), Teacher Management and Programs who represented the Chief Officer for Early Childhood Education Development and Vocational Training Mr. Ahmed Abdi, said “County Governments have been involved in preventing violent extremism efforts by implementing County Action Plans to Prevent and Counter Violent Extremism. In a classic case of collaboration between Government and civil society, and in close collaboration with National Counter Terrorism Centre, the Nairobi City County Government adopted the County Action Plan (CAP) to Prevent and Counter Violent Extremism which was launched in September 2020.
Mr. Kinyungu said “The CAP has six pillars that include: Economic, Education, Ideology, Media, Law enforcement and Political. The Political pillar through engagements with the County Assembly, Office of the County Commissioner, the County Government of Nairobi City and the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), with close collaboration with County Governance Watch and the County Engagement Forum, Nairobi County now has a Prevention of Violent Extremism Act that enables partners to engage ineffective prevention efforts to prevent radicalization and violent extremism.”
“We have seen our children even at very tender ages being recruited and radicalized, our youth because of lack of jobs and meaningful engagements the vulnerability then leads them to become easier targets for such vices. It is our responsibility to make sure that we stop the indoctrination of our young people through sensitizations of our communities so they are aware of the red flags around them and will raise alarm when they notice, that way we are able to prevent such occurrences.” He said
“The Act has been factored in the CIDP under the Department of Talent Skills Development and Care as the implementing Sector, a major milestone for the County. This training therefore will act as a catalyst as we embark on the implementation process. Today we have 20 Officers who have been trained will be instrumental in the domestication of the County Action Plan and the Prevention of Violent Extremism Act at the Community Level.” Said Mr. Kinyungu.
The Member of County Assembly (MCA) for Nairobi South Ward and Deputy Minority leader Nairobi City County Assembly and sponsor of this bill, Hon. Waithera Chege took the participants through the Act. She said the team here has an obligation to ensure that the information is taken down to the grassroots, since most of the radicalization starts down there where we have most youth and vulnerable people getting into temptation to involve themselves with such activities. We as the County Assembly have done our part the ball now is on yours court. It will be unfair if this information is not shared with the community let’s make individual efforts to have this bill published and publicized”
My little research has shown that most of the areas that are at risk are the people living in informal settlements who are vulnerable and susceptible to be targeted for radicalization and violent extremism. Let’s put emphasis on educating our communities. We are hitting the ground running to ensure this content gets out there” Said Hon Waithera.
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