Building Trust, Strengthening Resilience: Key Insights on Emerging Violent Extremism and Security Trends from Mwanamke Imara Dialogues in Kwale and Kilifi Counties

Strengthening Community Resilience Through Dialogue, Trust, and Collective Action

Through the Mwanamke Imara Project, community-security dialogues were recently convened in Kwale and Kilifi Counties, bringing together women leaders, youth representatives, community members, security agencies, justice actors, civil society organizations, religious leaders, artists, and local administrators to discuss emerging violent extremism and security trends affecting communities along Kenya's Coast region.

The dialogues provided safe and inclusive spaces for stakeholders to openly discuss evolving threats, share lived experiences, strengthen trust between communities and security institutions, and collectively identify solutions for preventing violent extremism and enhancing community resilience.

While Kwale and Kilifi Counties share several common vulnerabilities, including youth unemployment, gang recruitment, digital radicalization, and social exclusion, the discussions also revealed unique county-specific dynamics that require localized responses. Participants emphasized that effective Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (PCVE) efforts must be informed by community realities and driven through multi-sectoral collaboration.

Common Emerging Trends Across Both Counties

Youth Vulnerability and Gang Recruitment

Across both counties, participants identified increasing youth vulnerability as a major concern. Economic hardship, unemployment, school dropouts, substance abuse, and limited opportunities continue to create conditions that make young people susceptible to recruitment into gangs, criminal networks, and extremist groups.

Both dialogues highlighted the growing presence of juvenile gangs, with stakeholders warning that gang involvement often serves as an entry point into more organized criminal activities and increases vulnerability to radicalization.

Participants called for greater investments in mentorship, skills development, sports, arts, entrepreneurship, and psychosocial support programs that offer young people positive alternatives and pathways to success.

Digital and Online Radicalization

Stakeholders in both counties observed a growing shift from traditional recruitment methods to online radicalization and self-radicalization through digital platforms.

Social media, online forums, gaming platforms, encrypted messaging applications, and virtual communities were identified as spaces where extremist narratives can spread rapidly, often without physical contact between recruiters and vulnerable individuals.

Women, men, and children are increasingly exposed to online content promoting violence, hate speech, conspiracy theories, and extremist ideologies. Participants emphasized the importance of digital literacy, online safety awareness, parental guidance, and community education to counter these emerging threats.

Historical Grievances, Marginalization, and Economic Frustrations

Participants from both counties acknowledged that unresolved grievances, poverty, unemployment, inequality, and perceptions of injustice continue to be exploited by criminal and extremist actors.

Feelings of exclusion and hopelessness can make vulnerable individuals more susceptible to recruitment narratives that offer identity, belonging, economic opportunities, or a sense of purpose.

The dialogues reinforced the need for inclusive development, meaningful civic participation, and strengthened social protection systems to address the root causes of vulnerability.

Music and Entertainment as Emerging Drivers of Violence

One of the most significant issues raised in both counties was the increasing role of music and entertainment spaces in fueling violence, gang rivalries, and harmful narratives.

Participants noted that some artists and influencers are increasingly using music to promote territorial disputes, glorify criminal lifestyles, spread hate speech, and intensify conflicts between groups. In some cases, online disputes have reportedly escalated into real-world confrontations and street violence.

At the same time, stakeholders recognized the powerful role that music can play in promoting peace, positive identity, mental health awareness, and social cohesion. Participants called for greater support for artists who use their platforms to promote peacebuilding and positive social change.

Emerging Trends Unique to Kwale County

Human Trafficking and Enforced Disappearances

A key concern raised in Kwale County was the growing risk of human trafficking and cases of young people disappearing after being lured by promises of employment opportunities elsewhere.

Participants linked these cases to economic vulnerability and emphasized the need for stronger awareness campaigns, reporting mechanisms, and collaboration between communities and security agencies.

Prison Radicalization and Family Exploitation

Stakeholders highlighted concerns regarding prison radicalization, particularly among vulnerable individuals facing poverty, social exclusion, and inadequate rehabilitation support.

Participants also raised concerns about anonymous phone calls allegedly originating from correctional facilities and targeting families through intimidation, manipulation, emotional exploitation, and extortion.

Recruitment Through Road Trips and Organized Events

Community members noted that some social gatherings, entertainment events, and organized travel opportunities can occasionally be exploited by criminal or extremist actors to identify, groom, and recruit vulnerable individuals.

Participants emphasized the need for increased community vigilance and stronger protective networks for young people.

Emerging Trends Unique to Kilifi County

Increased Involvement of Women in Drug Distribution Networks

Participants in Kilifi County expressed concern over the increasing involvement of women in illicit drug-related activities, particularly the trade and distribution of muguka and other substances in parts of Malindi.

Economic hardship and limited livelihood opportunities were identified as key drivers contributing to this trend.

Territorial Marking and Expansion of Street Gang Influence

Community members highlighted the emergence of territorial markings through symbols, shoes, graffiti, and designated street spaces believed to indicate areas controlled by gangs or drug distribution networks.

These practices contribute to fear among residents and strengthen gang influence in vulnerable neighborhoods.

Changing Perceptions of Children and Youth

A particularly concerning issue raised in Kilifi County was the changing perception of children and adolescents within communities.

Participants reflected on how children were once viewed as symbols of innocence and hope. However, the rise of juvenile gangs has led many residents to increasingly associate groups of young people with criminality and insecurity.

This growing mistrust risks further isolating vulnerable youth and undermining efforts to support their positive development.

Declining Perceptions of Safety in Malindi

Participants expressed concern that increasing criminal activities and gang-related incidents may be affecting public perceptions of safety, particularly in Malindi, a town whose economy relies heavily on tourism and hospitality.

Stakeholders emphasized that maintaining security and social cohesion remains critical for protecting both community wellbeing and local livelihoods.

Community-Security Relations: A Shared Challenge

One of the strongest themes emerging from both dialogues was the need to improve trust between communities and security agencies.

Participants highlighted several challenges:

• Weak community-police relationships.

• Perceived corruption within some institutions.

• Allegations of harassment and arrests of innocent individuals.

• Fear of retaliation when reporting violent extremism or criminal activities.

• Perceptions that young people are often treated as suspects rather than partners in security efforts.

Stakeholders agreed that effective PCVE and community safety initiatives depend on mutual trust, transparency, accountability, and meaningful engagement between communities and security actors.

Women at the Center of Community Resilience

A key outcome of both dialogues was the recognition of women as critical actors in preventing violent extremism and promoting peace.

Through the Mwanamke Imara Project, women leaders are being equipped with leadership skills, community engagement tools, and knowledge on early warning signs to strengthen social cohesion and contribute meaningfully to local peace and security efforts.

Women often serve as first responders within families and communities, making them uniquely positioned to identify vulnerabilities, support at-risk individuals, and champion peaceful conflict resolution.

The Way Forward

The dialogues reaffirmed that preventing violent extremism requires a whole-of-society approach involving communities, security agencies, civil society organizations, religious leaders, educational institutions, artists, youth groups, women leaders, and government actors.

Participants recommended:

• Expanding economic empowerment opportunities for women and youth.

• Strengthening digital literacy and online safety awareness.

• Enhancing rehabilitation and reintegration support systems.

• Supporting community-led peacebuilding initiatives.

• Improving community-police relations and accountability mechanisms.

• Strengthening early warning and early response systems.

• Investing in arts, sports, mentorship, and leadership development programs.

• Promoting gender-inclusive approaches to PCVE.

• Creating safer reporting mechanisms for community members.

As violent extremism and insecurity continue to evolve across Kenya's Coast region, community-security dialogues remain critical platforms for fostering trust, identifying emerging threats, and developing locally driven solutions. The insights generated through the Mwanamke Imara Project demonstrate the importance of empowering communities, especially women and youth, to become active partners in building peaceful, resilient, and secure societies.