Research Papers
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Item Role of SUPKEM leadership in fighting against extremism and terrorism in Kenya(Taylor and francis, 2024) Akasi, H.Y.The Supreme Council of Kenyan Muslims (SUPKEM) was established in 1973 as an umbrella body to bring together all Muslims in Kenya with the intention of addressing the needs of the Muslim community in Kenya. It also acts as a link between the Kenyan government and its Muslim citizens. Extremism is one of the major threats to the East African region and Kenya in particular. The ideology of violent extremism is spread through different media and radicalizes individuals into terrorists who kill and cause devastation. The Muslim community in Kenya has a role to play in combating violent extremism and terrorism in the country because conversion to Islam has been linked to radicalization and violent extremism, particularly along Kenya’s coast. The aim of this study is to demonstrate the role that SUPKEM leadership can play in the counterterrorism mea- sures implemented in Kenya. Qualitative research was used to study the role that Muslim leaders in SUPKEM play in countering violent extremism and terrorism. Qualitative inter- views with selected Islamic leaders provided rich data that helped to understand terrorism and violent extremism in Kenya. The results showed that SUPKEM leadership is well- informed about the problem of terrorism and violent extremism in Kenya. Islamic leadership can play a role through alternative narratives, religious dialogue, and more scholarly research to guide their believers against dangerous religious ideology.Item Challenges facing Muslim converts in the Republic of Kenya: A case study of Mumias-Kakamega county(Taylor and francis, 2024) Akasi, H.Y.Converts are a significant group within Kenya’s Muslim population. If converts are handled in the right way, they may play a big role in the spread of Islam to non-Muslims. If converts are treated properly, they could have a significant impact on the propagation of Islam among non- Muslims. In Mumias, Kakamega County, Kenya, converts face so many challenges as they navigate through their new-found faith. The aim of this study was to investigate the problems that convert in Kakamega face. The data were collected using semi-structured interviews as primary data. For the interviews, a sample of 25 participants was selected. There were 15 men and 10 women. Converts face physical assault, derogatory language, neglect by family and friends, difficulty finding a scho- lar, social integration, difficulties acquiring Islamic knowledge, difficulties learning the Quran, humiliation, identity issues, marital problems, and other problems, according to the findings. The study recommends a systematic process of educating converts for a better understanding of Islam and providing them with self-efficiency projects that will enable them to be self-reliant.