Isiolo County has launched a five year action plan that aims at countering and preventing extremism and radicalization of youth by terror groups.
According to local leaders, a number of youth from the region have been radicalized by the outlawed groups thus the need to have a policy to check the trend.
Speaking during the launch, Isiolo Governor Dr Mohammed Kuti called upon youth from the area to shun extremism and instead enroll in technical training institutions such as polytechnics where they will acquire skills to enable them earn a decent living.
Kuti further noted that unemployment was one of the major factors leading to radicalization and pointed out that his administration has already laid out plans to establish centers to nurture and promote talents.
“My government has already laid out strategies to divert the energy of our youths to more fruitful courses, by building centers aimed at nurturing young talents in a bid to save them from indulging to menace. We are determined to ensure a state of the art stadium is built in the next two years comprising of all facilities needed to nature our young and talented youths.” He said.
The move has been lauded by Isiolo Woman Representative Rehema Jaldesa who pledged to work with the youth to nurture and promote talent. She noted that the policy will curb radicalization in the area.
Her sentiments were echoed by National Counter Terrorism Center (NCTC) Director Njenga Miiri who added that it was important for the process to be owned by the people to enable them look at their own issues and come up with home grown solutions that will guarantee success in the fight against terror.
