Kenya, Netherlands ink deal on counter-terrorism

Kenya and the Netherlands on Thursday signed a declaration of intent to counter terrorism in the two countries.

Under the pact signed in Nairobi, the two countries will focus on intelligence sharing, capacity building, and de-radicalization to help overcome the threats of violent extremism.

"On counter-terrorism and support on de-radicalization, we have had a strong relationship," Kenya's Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed said after signing the deal.

"This emphasizes and reaffirms the hope that working together we can overcome the threats of violent extremism," Mohamed added.

Dutch Foreign Minister Bert Koenders said the pact will also see profiling and reintegration of immigrants.

"We both agree counter-terrorism requires security approach but also an approach of de-radicalization, giving space to people, understanding what is happening and I am very happy we signed the declaration of intent," Koenders said.

He said both Kenya and the Netherlands will deploy a monitoring and evaluation system connected to County Action Plans particularly aimed at NGOs working on counter-terrorism.

Police say extremists are now targeting young people who are members of a particular youth groups like football clubs. They entice them with money and a promise of better lives ahead.

One of the gunmen involved in the Garissa University terror attack that killed 147 people in April 2015 was a young promising Kenyan lawyer.

The dynamic of terrorism in Kenya is that while in the past the perpetrators were exclusively foreigners, there is a growing number of Kenyans who have joined foreign terrorist organizations like Al-Shabaab. Endit