Marsabit: Security and peacebuilding efforts in Marsabit County have received a boost following the launch of the Kenya Community Engagement and Resilience Programme (KCERP), a multi-stakeholder initiative aimed at preventing violent extremism through community engagement, economic empowerment, and stronger collaboration between citizens and security agencies.
According to Kenya News Agency, the programme is funded by the European Union through the Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund (GCERF) and Act Change Transform (ACT). It is being implemented by Strategies for Northern Development (SND) and the Agency for Peace and Inclusive Development (APID).
Speaking during the launch at Ebisa Hotel in Marsabit Central Sub-County, Marsabit County Commissioner Stanley Kamande said the initiative would initially be implemented in Laisamis, North Horr, Marsabit Central, and Moyale sub-counties. He noted that the programme brings together religious leaders, community elders, women, youth, peace committees, national government administrators, civil society organisations, and security agencies to promote lasting peace, strengthen resilience, and address factors that contribute to violent extremism.
Kamande emphasized the focus on preventing violent extremism through community engagement, increasing public awareness, and strengthening relationships between communities and security agencies while creating economic opportunities for vulnerable women and youth. He also highlighted the Government’s commitment to closing security gaps that criminals and extremist groups often exploit and the importance of collective responsibility in safeguarding peace.
The County Commissioner urged residents to support security agencies by reporting suspicious individuals and criminal activities, assuring the public that all information shared with authorities would be treated with strict confidentiality.
Project Officer at Strategies for Northern Development (SND), Wago Boru, stressed that the programme specifically targets women and young people, as unemployment, poverty, and limited economic opportunities have made many youths vulnerable to recruitment by extremist groups. He cited challenges such as drug and substance abuse, illegal arms trafficking, and cross-border insecurity that threaten community stability.
Boru referred to the abduction of two Korean missionaries in August 2024 as an example of the region’s security challenges and highlighted the need for stronger community resilience. He emphasized that prevention through awareness creation, community engagement, and economic empowerment is more effective than responding after radicalisation occurs.
The programme will train 10 Digital Peace Ambassadors to promote peace messages through social media platforms, counter misinformation, discourage hate speech, and encourage responsible social media use among young people. Additionally, KCERP will economically empower 60 beneficiaries, including women and youths, through initiatives like brick-making and beekeeping.
Boru mentioned that the programme will run for nine months, working closely with security agencies, local administrators, and community leaders to strengthen trust, improve information sharing, and build resilient communities capable of resisting violent extremism.
Ahmed Billow Osman from APID explained that KCERP builds on previous peacebuilding initiatives and seeks to strengthen collaboration among communities, security agencies, and various groups to address emerging security challenges collectively. The focus is on creating safe spaces for trust-building and promoting positive digital platform usage to counteract extremist recruitment.
Peace activist Shamsia Abdullahi welcomed the programme, highlighting its potential to strengthen community security and livelihoods. She praised the Government and development partners for supporting peace initiatives that have improved cross-border trade and coexistence. Abdullahi emphasized the importance of empowering women and youths to reduce vulnerability to crime and extremist recruitment, advocating for peace, dialogue, and tolerance ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The Kenya Community Engagement and Resilience Programme aims to strengthen community resilience against violent extremism through public awareness campaigns, economic empowerment, digital engagement, and stronger cooperation between communities and security agencies, contributing to sustainable peace and inclusive development across Marsabit County.
