Every Kenyan has a responsibility to prevent, counter violent extremism

President William Ruto after laying a commemorative wreath in honor of students who died during the Garissa University attack, which occurred in 2015. [PHOTO:ELLY OKWARE/PCS] Yesterday marked the 10th anniversary of the attack on Garissa University. On April 2, 2015, Al Shabaab militants unleashed terror on young Kenyans pursuing knowledge to build better lives for themselves, leading to the deaths of 148 people, and another 79 others injured. As a parent, I cannot fathom the enduring pain caused by this tragedy on the victims families. No person would want to be caught up in the situation that the Garissa University students found themselves in. We can avoid that through a unified whole of society approach where all prevention and counter violent extremism actors work together in harmony with local communities. The truth is, the community serves as the first line of defence against violent extremist recruiters seeking to embed themselves in society. This anniversary offers a moment of deep reflection for all of us, reminding us of our debt to those who paid the ultimate sacrifice and their families. It also demonstrates our resilience as a nation - a resilience that we must continuously invest in. As a bustling democracy, Kenya has registered exponential economic and social growth since independence, evident in the physical and human infrastructure developed as the country races to implement Vision 2030. The crowning achievement is Kenya's forward-looking Constitution, which has been critical in shaping governance and development. These milestones have set Kenya apart as a leading regional hub for tourism and investment, while also making it a target for violent extremist groups who use our country as a staging ground for their attacks. This dual reality stresses the need for collective action, leveraging Kenya's industry, progress, and success to unite everyone against a common enemy: The threat of violent extremism. Prevention is our strongest weapon, and it begins with each one of us taking responsibility for our shared safety. Countering terrorism is not a task for law enforcement alone-it requires a collective effort. The past decade has demonstrated that successful counter-terrorism strategies depend on collaboration between security agencies, other governmental and non-governmental institutions, and the community. Strengthened partnership-locally, regionally, and globally-with like-minded partners in the Global South are vital in preventing and countering violent extremism. It is paramount that we capitalise on these partnerships to ensure lessons from past tragedies are implemented and shared to minimise recurrence. Awareness and education are crucial elements in this fight. Learning institutions should be centres of enlightenment that foster critical thinking and inclusion while rejecting divisive rhetoric that seeks to disempower young people. Sustainable strategies must strive for inclusion of youth, women, and persons living with disabilities, creating opportunities for meaningful engagement and spurring positive change to eradicate the drivers of violent extremism. The tragedy of Garissa University should serve as a constant reminder that we are stronger together. National security is not just a government mandate; it is a shared responsibility. We call upon research institutions, policymakers, and community leaders to reinforce strategies that prioritise awareness creation, empowerment, capacity building, research-led policy and practice, and inclusive engagements. A decade ago, terrorists sought to sow seeds of division among us, but they failed, succeeding only in bolstering our resolve. We still remember, we have learned, and we are ready to act. This anniversary is more than a moment of grief - it is an inspiration that propels us to pursue lasting peace and security. As a tribute to our fallen loved ones, let us all vow to stay vigilant, embrace tolerance, and champion unity in our efforts to prevent and counter violent extremism.

Every Kenyan has a responsibility to prevent, counter violent extremism

Get Full Access for Ksh299/Week.

Stand With Bold Journalism.
Stand With The Standard.

Related Topics

Popular this week

Latest Stories

The Standard Insider

Digger Classified

GET OUR NEWSLETTER

CONNECT WITH US

FOR THE LATEST JOB ADVERTS

DIGGER JOBS

Digger Motors

Digger Real Estate

Every Kenyan has a responsibility to prevent, counter violent extremism

Get Full Access for Ksh299/Week.

Stand With Bold Journalism. Stand With The Standard.

Related Topics

Trending Now

Popular this week

Latest Stories

The Standard Insider

Digger Classified

GET OUR NEWSLETTER

CONNECT WITH US

FOR THE LATEST JOB ADVERTS

Stand With Bold Journalism.
Stand With The Standard.