NAIROBI, Kenya – The National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) and the Inter-Religious Council of Kenya (IRCK) are set to work together to prevent violent extremism through structured interfaith coordination, following an inception meeting held on February 9, 2026.
The meeting, held under the framework of the National Strategy for the Prevention and Countering of Violent Extremism (NSPCVE 2025–2030), aimed to create a platform for joint planning and implementation of faith-based interventions across Kenya.
Officials reviewed IRCK’s organisational structure and reach to maximize operational impact, reaffirmed its responsibilities within the NSPCVE framework, and presented NCTC’s mandate alongside the proposed interfaith forum framework.
A joint action plan was validated, with priority activities identified and mechanisms for tracking, reporting, and coordination established to ensure effectiveness on the ground.
Inception Meeting for Interfaith PCVE ForumsOn 9th February 2026,@NCTC_Kenya and @irck_info met to operationalize the interfaith coordination structures mandated by the #NSPCVE (2025-2030).The focus was on creating a structured platform for joint planning and
Speaking at the meeting, NCTC Director General Kibiego Kigen commended IRCK’s partnership, saying that faith-based platforms are critical in building community resilience and preventing radicalization.
The inception meeting marks a key step in implementing Kenya’s NSPCVE strategy, signalling a commitment to collaborative, community-driven approaches in countering violent extremism.
Research and policy dialogues have shown religion and religious actors can play a critical role in countering violent extremism by leveraging moral authority to challenge extremist narratives, promote peace, and foster community cohesion — especially through interfaith dialogue and grassroots engagement.
Faith leaders are often trusted voices in their communities, able to provide alternative, non-violent interpretations of religious texts and mobilise followers against violence, contributing to sustained peacebuilding efforts.
