Focus on patriotism, not over legislation in war on extremism

Violent extremism remains a speck in the eyes of Kenyans, and we strongly believe it must be dealt with from all angles. This means all Kenyans, must own the process to prevent radicalisation and violent extremism. I make reference to the two terms “radicalisation” and “violent extremism” and not terrorism, which will be focus for another day.

Certainly legislation is advisable, but not taking excuse in laws and policy due to incompetence, to keep other players out of the mainstream to fighting violent extremism. Likewise, prevention must be given priority over military reaction. Lord Bingham, while evaluating the UK Government’s legislative response to violent extremism, warned that: “As soon as we decide that all means are permitted to fight an evil, then the good becomes indistinguishable from the very evil we set out to destroy.” This echoes a similar warning by Chief Justice David Maraga, when the Judiciary was blamed for not doing enough to ‘jail’ suspects of ‘terrorism.’ He reiterated that the courts must not act the same way as terrorists, but follow the rule of law.