The Religious Radicalisation of The Youth in Eastleigh and its Implication for Cchristian -Muslim Relations in Kenya From 1992-2015

Abstract

The research study contains five chapters. It begins by providing the background of the study, defining the research problem, which states that radicalisation has caused interreligious tension between the Christians and Muslims in Eastleigh. The purpose of the study research is to investigate and describe religious radicalisation of youths in Eastleigh and its implications for Christian – Muslim Relations in Kenya from 1992-2015. Objectives and research questions are well spelled out. Justification of the study is that since there is tension between the Christians and Muslims in Eastleigh because of the radicalisation of youths the issue needs an urgent address. Then literature review was looked into which was based on the research questions, theoretical and conceptual frameworks were tackled also a conclusion was drawn showing the summary of the literature review, which included the strengths and limitations and how the knowledge of this study would fill those gaps. The other area the researcher focused in this study is the research methodology in which he used historical and qualitative research method of approach and survey research design. Non-probability sampling was used. Snowball sampling was applied as the main method of sampling in the study. The tools the researcher used in data collection were questionnaire and interviews. The researcher demonstrated the data presentation and analysis. The main findings are based on the objectives of the study and these are: the background of religious radicalisation of youths whereby, majority of the Muslims and some Christians they do not understand whether there is a process of religious radicalisation of youths in Eastleigh. However, majority of the Christians and some Muslim respondents claimed that they knew the process of radicalisation of youths in Eastleigh of which they said took place in some mosques and madrassas and Muslims said it was conducted in the streets of Eastleigh. In the issue of the effects of radicalisation of youths on Christians – Muslim Relations, it was established that majority of Christians and Muslims agreed that radicalisation had great effects in their peaceful co-existence. There is great suspicion between the two communities in Eastleigh. In conclusions it was noted that majority of the respondents agreed that religious radicalisation of youths in Eastleigh was caused by lack of employment and lack of proper religious teachings among youths. It was also established that a large number of those who joined the religious radicalisation were new converts to Islam. The recommendations are Christians and Muslims should teach their members the right doctrines and those dangerous teachings should be made clear. Create awareness to the youths about the effects of radicalisation through civic education in public and private schools. Involve opinion leaders like politicians from both Christians and Muslims to fight religious radicalisation.