Abstract
Terrorism and violent extremism continue to pose significant challenges to peace and security in Kenya, where geopolitical, socio-economic, and historical factors contribute to their persistence. However, Kenya’s counterterrorism approach continues to be influenced by Western colonial thinking and violent practices, which are based on a traditional global war on terror (GWOT) model. This is often militarized, securitized, and rooted in Western state-centric and problem-solving paradigms, which have proven ineffective, exacerbating grievances, and fostering cycles of violence. This study examines alternative, decolonial, and nonviolent responses to terrorism and violent extremism in Kenya, drawing on the indigenous philosophy of Ubuntu.
Ubuntu centers on communalism, shared humanity, and restorative justice. It offers a holistic and culturally resonant framework for addressing the root causes of violent extremism. This study utilizes an Ubuntu-Inspired Participatory Research (UIPR) design, a decolonial theoretical lens that deconstructs the dominant counterterrorism narratives and advocates for indigenous, community-driven responses. This study utilizes qualitative research methods based on interviews and document analysis, exploring how Ubuntu-inspired interventions, including community dialogue, restorative justice, and socio-economic inclusivity, can effectively mitigate radicalization and promote sustainable peace.
This study’s findings suggest that state- and security-centered responses alone are insufficient and often counterproductive. Instead, an Ubuntu-based approach fosters resilience, trust, and social cohesion, addressing structural injustices that fuel radicalization. By centering indigenous knowledge systems and nonviolent strategies, this study contributes to reimagining counterterrorism policy in Kenya, advocating for a paradigm shift toward human- and community-centered, contextually grounded, and sustainable peacebuilding practices.