Radicalization of Young Women Into Violent Extremism in Nairobi Kenya

Abstract

This study was focussed on exploring the radicalization of young women into violent extremism in Nairobi, Kenya. The study was carried out in Majengo Informal Settlement, Kamkunji Constituency in Nairobi. The specific objectives of the study were to analyse the push and pull factors that contribute to radicalization of young women in Nairobi and to examine the relationship between deconstruction of gender roles and identities and the push and pull factors contributing to radicalization of young women into violent extremism in Nairobi, Kenya. The unit of analysis was an individual young woman between the ages of 18 and 24 living in the Majengo informal settlement and who had undergone the process of radicalization. The study identified participants using the snowball sampling technique. The study was qualitative in nature and used an in depth interview guide to gather information from 10 young women who had undergone the process of radicalization. The study also held key informant interviews with members of local and police administration in the Kamukunji Sub County. The findings of this study established that the push and pull factors that contributed to the radicalization of the young women were influenced by the social and economic environments in which the young women were living in. It further establishes that harsh socio economic environments caused the young women to deconstruct their gender roles and identities in order to survive socio-economic hardship. The study then concludes that the deconstruction of gender roles and identities leads to uninhibited thinking which allows women to embrace roles outside their gender discourse. These roles may include those which are considered violent or in support of violence. The study then recommends that the Government Kenya support young women in Majengo with socio-economic empowerment programmes to assist them to deal with their harsh socio economic realities as an avenue for countering violent extremism.