
Reducing the level of violence extremism in Kenya

Reducing the Level of Violence Extremism (RELEVE)program has promoted peace and peaceful coexistence among youth despite their differences by introducing community joint activities such as games, art, and drama to enhance social cohesion. Games which included football league in the whole county, swimming competition, cycling competition and cultural games such as donkey race, cooking competition have contributed towards a wider social objective by helping people overcome cultural differences and spread an atmosphere of tolerance and cohesion. Art mainly focused on Installation of graffiti/ Murals targeting youths at the different hotspots.Community joint activities engaged youths in a dialogue whereby drivers were discussed, and murals were designed and then painted by painter. This activity has brought the youths together and the drawings acts as symbolic work to help community reflect on impacts of violence extremism. Drama and theatre shows were also conducted by different theatre show groups. These theatre shows strengthened the emotional and psychological appeal of impacts of violence extremismacts and provided a believable and interesting way to explore this sensitive issue in community.
