A coastal-based NGO, Human Development Agenda (HUDA), in collaboration with local communities and youth in Kwale County, has initiated a peace dialogue program aimed at countering violent extremism and addressing juvenile gang activities in the region.
The initiative, supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) under theΒ USAID Sauti Yangu, Amani YanguΒ program, seeks to strengthen community-driven resilience against violent extremism in targeted areas.
The project also aims to establish an inclusive, responsive, and self-sustaining system to prevent and counter violent extremism in Kenya. 
HUDA Program Officer Kashi Jermaine said focusing on community-driven approaches, the initiative seeks to empower local stakeholders to take a proactive role in addressing insecurity and fostering long-term peace.
Jermaine, said that the project is particularly targeting Msambweni and Lunga-Lunga sub-counties, areas that have experienced heightened cases of insecurity.
Some of the targeted areas include Vanga, Shimoni, Bonge/Gombato, Ukunda and Kinondo.
According to him, the areas have been grappling with challenges such as youth involvement in juvenile gangs, radicalization, and violent activities, which undermine peace and social cohesion.
He said the peace dialogue initiative involves key community players, including religious leaders, peace committees, youth representatives and village elders from the grassroots level.
Jermaine said through peace talk forums, the program seeks to equip participants with tools and knowledge to identify early signs of extremism and work collaboratively to address underlying issues that often contribute to insecurity.
The Officer said through the program’s locally-driven approach, the initiative hopes to not only mitigate existing threats but also build a framework for sustainable peace and security in Kwale and beyond.
Jermaine said during the meetings several challenges were raised by stakeholders that contribute to insecurity and violent extremism in the region.
He said among the key issues mentioned are the porous nature of the Kenya-Tanzania border, which facilitates illegal cross-border activities, drug abuse, youth rivalry, unemployment, lack of resource mobilization for youth, land injustices, and corruption.
Jermaine said factors create an environment conducive to the growth of criminal networks and violent extremism.
