The Role of Sports in Prevention of Radicalization and Violent Extremism Among Muslim Youth of Wajir County, Kenya

Abstract

Radicalization and violent extremism have been a worrying trend in a number of countries in the world, including the African region. Kenya continues to face the problem of radicalization of youth where incidences of violent extremism can be traced to as far back as the 1998 US Embassy bombing in Nairobi. In this incidence several lives were lost and hundreds left seriously injured. It is estimated that between 1998 and today, close to 1,000 terror related deaths have been registered and nearly 6,000 serious injuries recorded in the country. The Garissa University terrorist attack in April 2015 where close to 148 people died and several of them seriously injured, remains in the minds of Kenyans a reminder of the realities of radicalization and violent extremism in the country. Many of the attacks, including the Westgate and Dusit Hotel in Nairobi in September 2013 and January 2019 respectively, have been associated with young men in their twenties and thirties as direct perpetrators. Despite the government’s efforts to address the problem, radicalization and violent extremism in the country is far from being completely eliminated. The main objective of this study was to assess the role of sports in prevention of radicalization and violent extremism among the youth of Wajir County. Specifically, the study examined the role of youth in countering radicalization and violent extremism; assessed the role of sports activities in the prevention of radicalization and violent extremism among the youth; and evaluated the impact of sports activities on prevention of radicalization and violent extremism among the youth in Wajir East sub-county. The study was guided by Social control theory by Travis Hirschi (1990). The findings revealed that sports activities were very instrumental in the prevention of radicalization and violent extremism among the youth. Furthermore, sports programs were being used in prevention of radicalization and violent extremism, which helped to keep the youth busy as they developed talents. Sports also acted as a unifying factor among different ethnic groups hence encouraging young people to embrace friendship as they interacted through football clubs and other sporting activities. However, the youth needed strong support from the county and national governments to effectively use recreation activities as a means for counterterrorism. They also needed strong leadership from religious and community leaders in their endeavours as part of a solution to radicalization and extremism. The study recommended the adoption of a multifaceted long term approach, to assist the youth in the campaign against radicalization and religious extremism. For instance, creation of employment and business opportunities by the government will not only help the young people to comfortably earn a living, but will also ensure that there is no room for them to idle around which could in turn make them turn to radicalized groups for solace. Developing and improvement of sports facilities will also go a long way in helping the young people not only discover their talents, but also encourage them to participate in sports activities as a deterrent measure for radicalization and extremism.