NAIROBI, Kenya- The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has concluded a two-day Countering Violent Extremism (CVE) sensitisation programme for General Service Unit (GSU) recruits at the GSU Magadi Field Campus, as part of efforts to strengthen Kenya’s response to terrorism and radicalisation threats.
The training, conducted by facilitators from the DCI’s Directorate of Countering Violent Extremism, aimed to equip the recruits with knowledge and practical skills to identify, prevent and respond to emerging extremist threats.
According to the DCI, the programme focused on helping the recruits understand evolving terrorism trends, radicalisation processes and the growing influence of technology and online platforms in extremist recruitment and propaganda.
Participants were taken through various topics, including radicalisation pathways, recruitment patterns used by extremist groups, protective security awareness, and the identification of suspicious activities and individuals linked to violent extremism.
The recruits were also sensitised on Kenya’s legal and policy frameworks for countering violent extremism and the role played by the National Police Service in preventing radicalisation and safeguarding communities.
Speaking during the programme, Director of Countering Violent Extremism at the DCI, Paul Songok, underscored the importance of education and awareness in the fight against extremism.
Quoting Pakistani Nobel Peace Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai, Songok said: “With guns you can kill terrorists, with education you can kill terrorism.”
He noted that sustained investment in training and public awareness remains critical in addressing the root causes of radicalisation and preventing recruitment into extremist networks.
The DCI said the initiative forms part of a broader programme aimed at building counter-extremism capacity among newly recruited officers before their deployment to various parts of the country.
The agency added that it continues to work closely with partner institutions to integrate counter-radicalisation training into recruit curricula, reinforcing intelligence-led and community-centred approaches to combating terrorism.
Kenya has in recent years intensified efforts to strengthen security agencies’ preparedness against terrorism and violent extremism, particularly in the face of evolving threats posed by extremist groups operating within the region.
The DCI says empowering officers with the necessary knowledge and skills remains a key pillar in enhancing national security and protecting communities from extremist influence.
