NAIROBI, Kenya —As the government rolls out the Jukwaa la Usalama security initiative, there are new challenges driven by urbanization, economic pressures, and changing demographics, that communities are raising alarms about.
These concerns were brought to light at the inaugural forum held on April 8, 2025, in Mombasa, where citizens and government officials gathered to discuss pressing security issues.
Data from the Ministry of Interior reveals stark regional disparities in security threats, exposing deepening concerns from radicalized youth in the Coast to cattle rustling in the North Rift.
Coast Region: Radicalization and Drug Epidemic
The Coast region continues to grapple with radicalization among its youth, who are increasingly targeted by extremist groups through local mosques and online platforms.
This growing concern was underscored during the inaugural Jukwaa la Usalama forum in Mombasa, where youth leaders pointed to socioeconomic factors, such as unemployment and lack of educational opportunities, as key drivers of radicalization.
As these young people are drawn into extremist networks, communities report rising incidents of violence, particularly in informal settlements.
Compounding this issue is a growing drug trafficking crisis, with fishing ports becoming hotspots for narcotics smuggling.
Children as young as 12 are being exposed to glue sniffing and heroin addiction, further destabilizing the region.
The government has responded to these alarming issues by establishing a new anti-narcotics task force aimed at disrupting trafficking routes and scaling up rehabilitation efforts for addicts.
Local rehabilitation centers are being supported to assist in the reintegration of recovering drug users, reflecting a comprehensive approach to managing the region’s security challenges.
Another pressing issue is the ongoing land disputes exacerbated by missing title deeds and unresolved historical injustices.
These land conflicts have often spiraled into violent confrontations.
In response, the government is implementing mechanisms to digitize land records and improve the adjudication process, ensuring greater transparency and access to justice for affected communities.
North Rift: Cattle Wars and Militias
In the North Rift, cattle rustling has emerged as a major security threat, with clashes over livestock resulting in over 120 deaths in 2024 alone.
The proliferation of illegal firearms, smuggled across porous borders, has fueled these violent conflicts, leading to ethnic tensions and militia activity.
As the frequency of these attacks increases, communities fear further destabilization, especially as armed groups take advantage of weak law enforcement and regional disparities.
To tackle these threats, the government is reviving peace-building efforts led by community elders.
These traditional leaders, who have long played a role in mediating disputes, are being empowered to lead peace committees and facilitate dialogue between warring ethnic groups.
This community-driven approach aims to reduce violence and restore peace to a region plagued by insecurity.
Nairobi: Cybercrime and Urban Gangs
In Nairobi, the country’s capital, cybercrime and organized street gangs are increasingly threatening public safety.
Mobile fraud syndicates are thriving, targeting vulnerable individuals with sophisticated scams, while slum areas experience a rise in street crime, including armed robberies and theft.
This has put a significant strain on police resources, leading to concerns about the ability of law enforcement to maintain order in the face of growing criminal activity.
In response, the government is focusing on technological upgrades in policing, leveraging digital tools to enhance crime detection and response.
The aim is to bolster law enforcement’s capacity to combat cybercrime and improve public safety in urban areas.
This tech-driven approach is expected to streamline operations and enhance the efficiency of police forces as they adapt to modern security challenges.
Central Kenya: Illicit Brews and Domestic Violence
In Central Kenya, illicit alcohol production and consumption have led to a rise in toxic brew deaths, a growing public health crisis that is closely linked to escalating violence.
The region has also seen an alarming increase in femicide, with numerous reports of women being murdered by intimate partners or family members.
Additionally, farm invasions have emerged as a serious concern, with disputes over land ownership often leading to violent confrontations.
To address these multifaceted security challenges, the government is focusing on community policing reforms.
These reforms are designed to empower local leaders, including chiefs and village elders, to collaborate with law enforcement in curbing the production and distribution of illicit brews.
Public safety campaigns are also being launched to raise awareness about the dangers of toxic alcohol and domestic violence, alongside efforts to improve the responsiveness of law enforcement in rural areas.
North Eastern: Terrorism and Border Gaps
The North Eastern region of Kenya remains highly vulnerable to terrorism, particularly from Al-Shabaab, which continues to recruit fighters from within the region.
The porous borders that separate Kenya from Somalia have also facilitated the smuggling of weapons and other contraband.
Moreover, security at refugee camps, which house thousands of displaced people, remains a significant concern as extremist groups exploit the camps to recruit vulnerable individuals.
In response to these threats, the government has ramped up border surveillance, deploying additional security personnel to monitor and secure the region.
Enhanced intelligence-sharing among regional and national security agencies aims to disrupt terrorist networks and prevent cross-border criminal activities.
The region is also benefitting from targeted counter-terrorism programs that include deradicalization efforts and community engagement initiatives.
Western Kenya: Highway Banditry and Land Feuds
In Western Kenya, armed highway robberies are a significant concern, with criminals targeting vehicles along major highways, particularly in remote areas.
In addition to the rise in highway banditry, the region is also facing cross-border smuggling, particularly of sugar, which is illegally transported between Kenya and neighboring countries.
This activity is often linked to organized crime and has contributed to a rise in lawlessness in border areas.
Land disputes, often over ancestral land and land inheritance, have further fueled violence and instability.
As the government responds to these regional threats, it has introduced joint county security operations designed to curb highway robberies and cross-border smuggling.
These efforts also involve collaboration between local leaders, law enforcement, and communities to address land-related conflicts through mediation and legal reforms.
The Jukwaa la Usalama initiative represents a shift towards more inclusive and proactive security governance in Kenya.
With input from local communities, security agencies are better equipped to address the unique challenges each region faces.
