Current anti-radicalization initiatives are not working

The quiet of a Sunday afternoon in Majengo Mombasa was shattered by the sound of gunfire and depending on where you looked at it from, the aggressors had done it again. For the police, they had come to keep peace by “ejecting” Muslim youth who were congregating in Masjid Musa to listen to a “ radical extremist” sermon. They knew this because they saw black flags that had gun drawings draped on the minarets of the mosque.

Pix: Courtesy of  The Star Newspaper

On the other hand, local youth, leaders both political and clerical saw it differently.  The youth were exercising their constitutionally guaranteed religious rights and the police should not have attacked them. In fact they claimed the police transgressed on the rights of the youth and according to area MP Abdulswamad Shariff Nassir on his Facebook page that was a “terror act”.

As accusations and counter accusations flew, two people lay dead, either felled by the police or injured by the youth. Many others were injured and lay in hospital while a bigger group languished in police cells. Yet no one would take blame for their action.

It must be noted that this was not the first time that people lost lives their lives because of the clashes between police and the youth in Majengo, Mombasa.  However, our country seems to have perfected the art of projection. Blaming the other party has become a pastime activity and whenever there is an aggression or transgression, nobody is willing to carry the cross for their action. Government finds refuge blaming the youth for their violent streaks while the local community and the youth blame government for issues ranging from unemployment, religious discrimination, idleness etc.

Of course, the kneejerk blame game is an easier option, it helps address the issue on the spot and especially when local leaders whether political or in government have to comment about the issue..

It is easier for example for government to account for excessive use of power by accusing the youth of fomenting extremism. On the other hand, local political leaders must protect their votes and what easier way to do it than to blame the government for excessive use of force. In the end, a much bigger wedge is driven between government and the youth creating a rift in an issue that is already driven by global politics that sees Muslims as terrorists.

There is thus need to re-trace the steps and establish where the rain started beating Mombasa and seek to address the issue openly, honestly and once for all. The government and the local communities in Majengo must seek to sit at the dialogue table in a way that will seek to find a lasting solution to the continued growing rift between government and local communities.

The dialogue must be homegrown and driven by genuine desire to achieve lasting peace and it must involve all leaders, women and the youth to make a contribution in finding a solution.  Yes, there are many anti-radicalization programs and initiatives currently running in Mombasa and other coast counties, but they are donor funded and therefore working within strict spending and implementation timelines. Whereas in monitoring and evaluation terms, there are outcomes to show for all the meetings attended and money spent, it is becoming exceedingly hard to show changes in the behavior of the youth. For real change to take place, the “us versus them” mentality must be addressed and the youth helped to embrace the reality that Kenya is the only country we have.

Is it that simple? I must admit that it is not but as long as the divisions exists, more lives will be lost and grieving will continue. It is painful losing either a husband child or brother on the account of bad blood between police and the community and if there is someone who feels that pain, they should make the first move to contain the situation now rather than later.

 Ends…………..