Terror: Our youths are exploited by extremists

By Zacharia Chiliswa

The  September  21, 2013  terrorist attack on Westgate shopping mall in Nairobi, where over 60 people were killed and more than 170 wounded, epitomised the  growth of extremist groups. For close to two decades now, the Kenyan government has actively been engaged in war on terror. However, because of irresponsive social, political and economic institutions, many young people irrespective of their social status have fallen prey to the rhetoric of extremists. Extremists exploit systemic failures to gain traction to their bigoted ethnic, religious or political beliefs systems.

Extremist attitudes and behaviours not only threaten social conditions which allow people to thrive as society, but also obliterate them. Intolerant behaviour replaces acceptable social conditions with a predatory culture of terror, violence and systemic corruption. The behaviour of individuals and groups with extremist attitudes destroy the core of a stable society, values of social diversity, human dignity, right to life and life in a community.

But what experiences contribute towards deep-seated hostilities? Perhaps we could begin by understanding the societal problem of extremism from what grounds our social systems. Or rather what holds up institutions of society?

From it, we might begin to ask critical questions on the extent to which Kenya as a nation has dealt with the issues that divides us. For instance,  we could look at the culture of political betrayal, fixated tribalism, endemic state corruption, systemic political and economic marginalisation of sections of society and state-sanctioned brutality.   

The political class and some religious groups have exploited these fissures to mobilise and radicalise their followers. While some political leaders  exploit extremism, mobilising for support along ethnic lines, some religious groups promote  dangerous bigoted belief systems.

The relationships in this social set up are clientelistic; the poor are trapped in communal insecurities where their purported liberation lies with their patron leader.

These extremist behaviours have thrive on the feeling of   marginalisation were malcontents are persuaded  to pursue their violent goals.

But to what extent do executive, legislative and judicial decisions contribute to a  diminished sense of belonging. Do they serve  the needs of society or do they favour a few?

  Is it our political culture, religious affiliations or tribal belongings that foment intolerant attitudes? Vulnerable populations have often been exploited by extremist cultures. Could this breed contempt to the rule of law? Tribal bigots and extremists groups destroy foundational components of any community or society.

Because of their intolerant attitudes and behaviours, bigots suppress the space for individuals and groups to enjoy their liberties. The current debate  on the war on terror does not seem to provide answers because it is too heavily censored. It is difficult to  discern root causes of this problem.

We appear to have silently helped to manufacture consent to societal silence.  The atrocities committed by  extremists groups continue to strain the way individuals and/or communities participate in political processes.

 Positions taken on public issues are divisive and this leads to a straining of intercommunity relations. For instance, the ongoing purge on terror networks seems to be interpreted from ethnic and religious strands.  Already sharp criticisms of ethnic profiling have emerged. The social narratives of marginalising individuals and/or communities from meaningful participation in  the enjoyment of life is regrettable.

 But because of failed social dialogue on what divides us as nation, state agencies have resorted to the  use of brutal force. This cannot help to promote dialogue.