Bungoma deputy county commissioner Douglas Ireri addresses stakeholders during a workshop for establishment of the security and community policing working group /HILTON OTENYOA working group has been formed in Bungoma county to help prevent violent extremism and enhancing security at the grassroots level.
The team brings together security agencies, community leaders, religious groups, youth representatives, the county government and civil society organisations.
The group hopes to strengthen community engagement through information sharing and early warning mechanisms in the fight against radicalisation and terrorism threats in Western region.
Under the initiative, a partnership between the National Counter Terrorism Centre and the European Union, information flow begins directly from the residents at the grassroots level to community policing teams before being escalated to security agencies for action.
The programme is part of the Kenya-EU project to counter violent extremism 2025-230.
“The security and community working group that we’ve formed today will help to address challenges that are terrorism related,” Moses Ogolla from NCTC said.
“Empowering communities to own and take part in their own security strengthens early warning systems and enhances cooperation between citizens and law enforcement agencies.”
Ogolla said the approach is designed to encourage trust, timely reporting and active public participation in addressing security concerns, including cases of radicalisation, crime and violent extremism.
He said the new reporting model is more effective and responsive compared to the traditional ‘Nyumba Kumi’ approach noting that it places the community at the centre of information gathering and sharing.
Ogolla cited previous incidents of the Sabaot Land Defence Forces that perpetrated atrocities on communities in Mt Elgon over land issues between 2006 and 2008 as some of the cases that can drive the formation of terror groups.
“Being a border county places Bungoma at risk of experiencing violent extremism cases that is why we picked it for the implementation of our project in this region,” he said.
