RUSI Nairobi

RUSI Nairobi is a part of the Institute's Terrorism and Conflict Research Group, carrying out research and implementing projects in East Africa.

We are a diverse and innovative team based in Nairobi and Mombasa, Kenya. We have experts on conflict resolution, threat analysis, behavioural change in conflict environments, law enforcement training, monitoring and evaluation, at-risk youth mentorship and terrorism studies.

We operate in challenging security environments, seeking opportunities that further our understanding of the underlying drivers of conflict, emerging radicalisation and recruitment hotspots, and what they mean for the versatility of violent extremist organisations. We seek to understand how ideologies influence communities’ perceptions of violent extremism across the continent.

Recently, the Nairobi office has focused on producing forward-thinking research and implementation projects on countering violent extremism (CVE) that contribute to increasing peace, stability and economic opportunities for at-risk youth in marginalised areas of Kenya. We have done this by undertaking research and activities to reduce radicalisation and recruitment and increase the resilience of youth through the European Union-funded Strengthening Resilience against Violent Extremism (STRIVE II) programme. We also work on the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office-funded REINVENT programme, leading CVE research and activities in northern and coastal Kenya, among other projects.