Publication

This paper explores some of the reasons why individual Kenyans and Somali-Kenyans become radicalized and join extremist groups such as al-Shabaab and the Mombasa Republican Council (MRC). In particular, the paper explores the roles family, peer groups, ethnic and religious identity, and political-economic factors play in facilitating the radicalization process. The conclusion, at least in this study, is that as long as Kenyan citizens exclusively identify themselves with an ethnic/religious group that is perceived to be under threat, local extremism will increase.