International Journal of Arts and Humanities

Social Cohesion and Counter-Terrorism In The Case Of Kenya and Somalia

The commitment to extreme violence is what distinguishes a terrorist from other forms of extremists. Violent extremism refers to the beliefs and actions of people who support or use ideologically motivated violence to achieve radical ideological, religious, social, or political views. Violent extremist views can be exhibited along a range of issues, including politics, religion, and gender relations. This process occurs over time and causes a fundamental change in how people view themselves and the world in which they live. The exact nature of this process is still poorly understood. In response, investments need to be made in technology, skills, research, analysis, and innovating new approaches to countering terrorism. This is aimed at a sharp increase in operational tempo, coordination, and equipment aimed at detecting, deterring, and disrupting the activities of terrorists. The twenty-first century signified both the end and the start of numerous global initiatives. Social cohesion has received considerable attention and has become a major issue in government policies and programs. In South Africa, for example, national cohesion is seen as a collective term for addressing the hurdles, stumbling blocks, and structural strains in achieving the quality of nationhood. Cohesion and integration do not necessarily mean the same thing. Cohesion ensures that different groups get along, while integration ensures that new or existing residents, settlers, and communities can adapt. Kenya, as a player in the international system, has experienced changes as a result of world events, especially in the last two decades. One of the notable changes is a variation in the definition of national security. Before the democratisation process in Kenya, national security had been limited to state security, and little thought was given to the well-being of the individuals. Attempts to ensure national security must have informed the changes that have been targeting the management of security in Kenya. When people change how they think about the link between national security and national cohesion, it changes what the states are responsible for and how they should do it.

Keywords Terrorism, Cohesion, Social Capital, Democracy, Extremism