Malindi Deputy County Commissioner (DCC) Harrison Matevwa has warned residents against rogue religious organisations, saying unchecked radical teachings could expose vulnerable communities to terrorism, violent extremism and tragedies similar to those witnessed in Shakahola.
Matevwa called on residents to identify and report suspicious religious activities early, saying greater community vigilance was necessary to prevent extremist ideologies from taking root.
He spoke on Monday during a community engagement forum at Shakahola Dispensary in Chakama Location, Langobaya Division, organised by the National Counter-Terrorism Centre (NCTC).
The forum is part of an ongoing nationwide campaign aimed at strengthening community resilience against terrorism, radicalization and violent extremism.
Matevwa said the deaths reported in Shakahola and Kwa Binzaro demonstrated the dangers posed by religious groups operating without sufficient scrutiny and promoting doctrines that isolate or mislead followers.
“As government representatives, we are reminding citizens to be especially cautious about religious matters because religion has the power either to build or destroy communities,” he said.
The administrator directed divisional security and intelligence committees, village elders and Nyumba Kumi ambassadors to intensify monitoring within their areas and flag activities that could pose a threat to public safety.
He urged residents to scrutinize the backgrounds and teachings of religious groups before joining them and to alert authorities where they suspect followers are being manipulated or isolated from society.
Matevwa also called for closer engagement between local security officials and communities through regular public barazas, saying such forums could help authorities identify emerging threats before they escalate.
“People are often misled when they are desperate and vulnerable. Without support, they can easily fall prey to deceitful individuals. Regular meetings enable security agencies to hear directly from the people and respond effectively,” he said.
Langobaya Assistant Commissioner Brian Kirui told the forum that the division has more than 200 churches, with about 80 operating within the Shakahola area.
NCTC official Grace Kaparo said the agency had launched county-by-county public awareness campaigns to educate residents on terrorism, violent extremism and early warning signs of radicalization.
Dr Othman Mujaahid, a Pwani University lecturer and NCTC member, also sensitized residents on indicators of radicalization and urged parents to take a more active role in monitoring and protecting their children from extremist influences.
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