PH
The war against terrorism will be won if all Kenyans come together to fight the vice which poses a serious risk on the country’s security, National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) Director, Martin Kimani has said.
The NCTC Director said it is only through collective effort that the fight against terror and radicalization will be successful.
“Terrorists are not fighting our security agents but the Kenyan people. All they want is to destroy what we have and our ability to live together. When we all come together and say no to them and their agents, then we will win the battle against terror,” he said.
Somali based militia group Al Shabaab has over the years continued to pose a major security threat in the country. Recently an unknown number of Kenyan Defence Forces (KDF) soldiers were killed when the militants attacked their base at El-Adde camp in Somalia.
“Terrorists will have no place in our communities, mosques, churches, villages, towns and cities when we unite against them,” he added at the Private Sector consultative forum convened by Supreme Council of Kenya Muslim (Supkem).
Dr Kimani said the government will work closely with organizations that counter violent extremism. He commended the groups noting that they play a critical role in boosting national security.
“We look forward to greater partnerships with groups that fight violent extremism and radicalization. NCTC will support them in their efforts,” he assured and also appealed to Kenyans to use social media responsibly.
Supkem Secretary General Adan Wachu said his organization will continue working with other bodies to fight terrorism and radicalization among the youth.
“We have partnered with Muslim scholars and even our Christian brothers through the Inter-Religious Council of Kenya to counter narratives of terrorists who associate their activities with religion. We have made it clear that terrorism has nothing to do with any religion,” said Wachu.
They made the remarks at a Nairobi Hotel during a workshop on countering violent extremism in Kenya Thursday.
