President Kenyatta said the Government has scaled up efforts to rehabilitate and reintegrate those who were recruited into terror groups, particularly those that have returned home voluntarily.
“In this regard, my administration gave an unconditional amnesty to all the youths that have been in foreign lands,” President Kenyatta said, adding that the strategy has begun to bear fruits.
He urged any Kenyan youth who may have been radicalized to take advantage of this window of opportunity.
“So far a good level of trust is being built between government agencies and those returning,” the President said.
President Kenyatta emphasized that it is nations – united in their determination to fight for a way of life defined by a celebration of pluralism, religious freedom and free association – that will finally defeat terrorism and violent extremism.
“Kenya is one such nation. Throughout our history, we have never forgotten that we belong to different faiths and speak different tongues; but we have never forgotten that these differences are a gift, and an opportunity to learn from one another,” the President said.
He added: “Our history shows our commitment to the democratic and constitutional values that our new constitution finally enshrined.”
The Head of State said Kenya has made a choice to engage in the struggle to protect and uphold values that will forge the country – and every other African nation willing to try – into the strong nation Kenyans aspire it to be.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph Nkaissery said the two-day conference which was attended by delegates from over 41 countries has come up with specific recommendation to counter violent extremism.
The recommendations include: enhancing engagement to clarify parameters of war against violent extremism, clarify on defining phenomenal interests to the actors engaged in values which need to be promoted and protected.
Other recommendations are involving all stakeholders in the conceptualization, design and implementation of comprehensive strategies and plans to be deployed, periodical review of progress made in countering violent extremism, forge international partnerships that add value to local and national efforts to counter violent extremism and also emphasize on the value of research in strategies and plans to counter violent extremism.
Interior and Co-ordination of National Government Principal Secretary Dr. Monica Juma also addressed the conference.
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