Role of SUPKEM leadership in fighting against extremism and terrorism in Kenya

Abstract

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.