ABSTRACT
This chapter elucidates on the gaps in the institutional capacity to counter violent religious extremism in Nigeria and Kenya. It considers the potential to address the gaps in the institutional capacity, by building strong and viable institutions that can tackle social inequities, marginalization, political exclusions and injustices at the root of grievance of violent religious extremists. This will also require improved, people-centered, right-based and community driven counter-extremism strategies. The chapter demonstrates that the counter-extremism efforts in Nigeria and Kenya have produced a mixture of progress, setbacks and mixed opportunities, due to the highly militarized approach that downplayed the non-military aspect of dealing with the drivers of violent extremism. The institutional gaps have also impacted adversely on the regional and international initiatives to complement the national counter-extremism efforts. Winning the war on terror in Nigeria and Kenya would require the political will, commitment and determination to undertake significant social, economic, political and security reforms that are backed by regional and international support.
