Strengthening Community Policing to Prevent Radicalization and Violent Extremism

archived

The Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs of the U.S. Department of State announces an open competition for organizations to submit applications to carry out a project to support community police dialogues, relationship building activities, community psychosocial services, and training on alternative dispute techniques for local police in marginalized urban areas of East Nairobi. Marginalized populations in Kenya frequently cite poor relationships with the police as a key driver of violent extremism. Not only has the terrorist group al-Shabaab exploited long-standing ethnic and political grievances in Kenya to boost recruitment over the last decade, but allegations of violent police enforcement of COVID-19 restrictions, enforced disappearances, and corruption have further degraded trust between at-risk communities and the police. Pervasive distrust between these at-risk communities and the police discourages individuals to share information about violent extremism. Furthermore, use of excessive force by the police around Kenyan elections and political demonstrations has escalated tensions as the August 2022 elections approach and politicians begin to mobilize their supporters. The project aims to reduce radicalization, terrorist recruitment, and election violence by improving collaboration, trust, and reporting mechanisms between citizens and local police representatives in at-risk areas of East Nairobi.

High