EFFECTIVENESS OF NON-CUSTODIAL REINTEGRATION PROGRAMMES ON WELFARE OF RETURNEE TERRORIST FIGHTERS IN MOMBASA COUNTY, KENYA

Abstract

Although the concept of returning terrorist fighters is not new in Kenya, the most efficient strategy to reduce their threat to national security and community peace-making is through non-custodial reintegration. In Kenya, this intervention is targeted to resolve problems that obstruct effective recovery and ultimate reintegration of the returnees into the community. Little research has examined the welfare of returned terrorist fighters in Kenya and the reintegration initiatives that meet their psycho-social and economic needs. This thesis contributes to the debate on the desirable non-custodial reintegration initiative and its efficacy on the welfare of returnee terrorist fighters in Mombasa, Kenya. The specific objectives of the study aimed to: Explore the nature of noncustodial reintegration programmes on returnee terrorist fighters in Mombasa, evaluate the efficacy of the non-custodial reintegration programmes on the welfare of returnee terrorist fighters, and finally assess the challenges to the non-custodial reintegration programmes on the welfare of returnee terrorist fighters in Mombasa. The study was founded on three theories: Programme Theory, Relative Deprivation Theory and Desistance Theory. A sample size of 400 respondents was needed for the concentrated investigation. The study data relied on questionnaire and interviews with residents of the community, government representatives, returnees, academic experts, and civil society players. Data was collected using a mixed concurrent triangulation approach and a cross-sectional descriptive and evaluation research design. The study's target group was taken from Mombasa County, which was shown to have the highest rates of violent extremism and recidivism in Kenya. Pilot testing of the instruments contributed to the study's findings being more valid and reliable. Study participants were chosen by simple random selection, snow balling and purposive sampling. Quantitative data was gathered via questionnaires. Textual thematic analysis was used to collect qualitative data from focus group discussions and key informant interviews. The findings of the study are summarized, analyzed, and presented using descriptive statistics of frequencies, means, and standard deviations, as well as narrative form. From the findings, the study aims to add new knowledge to the existing body of research and academia, help review current policies to help develop new approaches and guidelines regarding the non-custodial reintegration of returnee terrorist fighters. In conclusion, the study found that non-custodial reintegration programmes of returnee terrorist fighters provide a perfect opportunity for enhancing community resilience in fighting radicalization leading to terrorism. The study noted challenges facing non-custodial reintegration programmes in addressing the welfare of the returnees, thereby limiting the programmes' ability and capacity to improve the returnees’ welfare objectively and accurately. The study's overall conclusion is that the employment of a multisectoral and multi-agency approach together with participation and inclusion of community members in the noncustodial reintegration process is a key factor in ensuring sustainable and effective programmes that are impactful on the welfare of the returnee terrorist fighters. The study recommends the nesting of non-custodial reintegration programmes into large economic and social stability efforts at county governments to enhance structural plans in development, implementation, and evaluation.