The International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Kenya launched the renovated and newly constructed classrooms at Bongwe Secondary School in Gobwe/Gombato Ward, Kwale County on 14 June 2019 as part of the Community Assistance Project (CAP) of the Programme for Human Security and Stabilization (PHSS). The CAP was funded by the Government of Japan.

IOM Kenya, in partnership with the Kenya government, piloted a survey of returnees in 2014 which led to the Programme for Human Security and Stabilization (PHSS) in 2015. IOM, through its Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Interior-Coordination of National Government (MoI-CNG) and particularly the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), has been supporting Kenya’s efforts in the prevention and countering violent extremism, aided by its Information, Counselling and Referral Services (ICRS) approach. To date, IOM has directly assisted 672 individuals, 94 small business operators, and 23 community projects for life skills development, social cohesion, and sustainable livelihoods for returnees and at-risk groups.

The Community Management Team (CMT) in Bongwe selected Bongwe Secondary School as their community project to expand the school’s capacity to accommodate more Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) graduates from eight nearby primary schools. The assistance resulted in renovating existing classrooms and building an additional classroom for a conducive learning environment which will reduce the number of idle youth who are vulnerable to radicalisation and recruitment of violent extremist groups.

“IOM has been very instrumental in supporting the government of Kenya in fighting recruitment and radicalization of young people to violent extremism. The Bongwe Secondary School will contribute significantly in the prevention of violent extremism,” said Lucy Ndinda, Assistant County Commissioner in a speech delivered on behalf of the Kwale County Commission. The Government of Kenya is committed in ensuring that every child has access to basic education, she added.

Since the PHSS support, the school has increased student enrollment from 184 to 231 students. In January 2019, 114 students were enrolled to form one and expanded into two streams. “Without these renovations and IOM support, it would have been a challenge accommodating the form one students who are currently using the two streams. Now the school has two form one streams, five classes and one extra class for optional subjects,” noted Mr. Athuman Mwandiya Mwalimu, Principal Bongwe Secondary School.

In her remarks, Yoko Fujimura, Head of IOM Mombasa Sub-Office, stated that education is powerful and it is a key strategy to succeed in countering violent extremism. She also added that it is her wish to see some of the students from Bongwe Secondary School become leaders in the near future.

The event has been attended by about 150 community members, teachers and students of Bongwe secondary School. The launch attendees also included the Director of Youth and Gender, Kwale County, Director for Education, Msambweni Sub-County from the National Government, Teachers Service Commission Director, Msambweni Sub-County and the member of the County Assembly and Ward Administrator of Bongwe/Gombato Ward among others.

For further information, please contact IOM Kenya at iomkenyaPI@iom.int. ©IOM 2019. All rights reserved.