TERRORISM is an ideological problem that needs to be fought ideologically, Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho has said.
He said many youths in Kenya are radicalised and believe in extremist acts of killing innocent people in the name of religion.
“A narrative has been created and we must control it. We need to change this belief rather than using force in fighting the radicalised individuals,” Joho said.
War on terror will only be won by changing the approach to fighting the ideology of extremism, Joho said in Mombasa on Thursday during the graduation ceremony of 573 beach operators at the Butterfly Pavilion.
He said Mombasa residents have been living peacefully together for a long time irrespective of religious affiliations.
The governor said national and county governments and citizens should preach peace and condemn acts of terrorism.
He said terrorism is a global problem that needs to be addressed by all people working together to counter the propaganda used to radicalise the youth.
Joho said the situation in Kenya is much better than in other countries, but has been blown out of proportion by the media. Many European countries issued advisories to their citizens against travelling to Kenya due to terrorist attacks at the Coast, which has affected tourism.
The advisories led to a 70 per cent drop in numbers of foreign tourists.
Many hoteliers are banking on domestic and regional tourists to fill the gap this month.
Joho said Coast counties will establish a Tourism Development Board to market the entire region.
He said the region’s tourism industry needs to be marketed and developed on its own.
Courtesy www.the-star.co.ke