Gov't launches skills programme for 450 youth, women to curb violent extremism

The initiative, unveiled during the Fifth Programme Steering Committee meeting of the Peacebuilding and Preventing Violent Extremism in East Africa Programme, will benefit participants from Nairobi, Kilifi, Kisumu, Isiolo and Samburu counties.

Dubbed the Resilient Livelihoods and Vulnerable Youth and Communities Empowerment Initiative, the programme is being implemented under the Building Resilience and Community Empowerment for Peace (BRACE4PEACE) Programme through a partnership involving the Government of Kenya, the Government of the Republic of Korea through the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and technical and vocational education and training institutions.

Speaking during the launch, Principal Secretary for Internal Security and National Administration Dr Raymond Omollo said sustainable peace could only be achieved by addressing the social and economic conditions that make vulnerable communities susceptible to crime and violent extremism.

"The focus is on strengthening community resilience, promoting social cohesion and expanding economic opportunities. These pillars must move together if we are to reduce the risks facing vulnerable communities," he said.

The first cohort comprises 90 beneficiaries from each of the five counties. Participants will receive market-oriented technical and vocational training tailored to local economic opportunities.

The training will focus on digital solutions and ICT in Nairobi, coastal tourism in Kilifi, cage aquaculture in Kisumu, and beekeeping, beadwork and handicrafts in Isiolo and Samburu.

Dr Omollo said the programme goes beyond skills training by linking beneficiaries to business licences, financing, enterprise development services, mentorship, markets and relevant national and county government programmes to improve their chances of establishing sustainable livelihoods.

He said national and county governments would also work together to identify whether participants were already enrolled in existing public programmes and connect them to complementary services where necessary.

The initiative complements broader government interventions such as the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) Programme, which seeks to enhance youth employment, entrepreneurship and economic inclusion.

Dr Omollo said communities across Kenya continue to face challenges including terrorism, environmental pressures, competition over scarce natural resources, socioeconomic marginalisation and the misuse of digital platforms by criminal and extremist groups.

"The reality is that those recruited into criminal and extremist networks are our people. In many cases, they are driven by a feeling of neglect, marginalisation or unresolved grievances. That is why community-based programmes are so important," he said.

He noted that climate-related pressures and resource-based conflicts were increasing security risks in several parts of the country and called for stronger collaboration between government agencies, county governments and peacebuilding institutions to prevent conflict.

The Principal Secretary also urged greater investment in digital literacy to help young people use technology responsibly amid growing concerns over misinformation, extremist narratives and harmful online content.

Looking ahead to the 2027 General Election, Dr Omollo said the government had developed a comprehensive security strategy to ensure peaceful campaigns and voting.

"We have an elaborate strategic plan that will guide our security deployment before, during and after the elections. Our objective is to ensure that Kenyans can participate in the electoral process peacefully and that every political contestant can present their ideas without intimidation or violence," he said.

He said the government and its partners were also revitalising the Uwiano Platform for Peace to strengthen early warning systems, civic engagement and conflict prevention during the electoral period.

On political violence, Dr Omollo warned that security agencies would not tolerate criminal activity carried out under the guise of politics, adding that intelligence-led operations were targeting individuals and groups suspected of organising politically motivated violence.

"Any criminal act related to politics or political contestation will not be tolerated. Political leaders must not take advantage of the vulnerability of young people, and our youth should not allow themselves to be misused for selfish political interests," he said.

He urged political leaders to conduct peaceful campaigns and called on Kenyans to embrace political tolerance and reject violence during the election period.