Effectiveness of Community-Led Approaches in Countering Terrorism in Northern Kenya

Jared Onyari Akama
Kisii University, Kenya
Email: onyarijared@gmail.com

Abstract: Since the terrorist attacks in 1998, the government of Kenya has adopted law enforcement-led counterterrorism with human rights organizations questioning its validity. Scholars have consistently proposed different initiatives. This study explores the effectiveness of community-led approaches to counterterrorism with a special focus on North Eastern Kenya. A qualitative approach was used in this study with the target population being the residents of Garissa County because of previous terrorist attacks that targeted the area. The study found that family or community members can raise alarm at early stages since recruitment begins at the community. The relationship between police and community members is an important factor in the debate on the role of the community in countering terrorism. The implications of the study findings contribute to the growing debate on the role and effectiveness of community-led initiatives in counterterrorism.