Details

Subject(s)

• Shabaab (Organization) [Browse]
• Terrorism—Kenya [Browse]
• Islam and politics—Kenya [Browse]
• Social conflict—Kenya [Browse]
• Kenya—Politics and government [Browse]

Series

• Cass series on political violence [More in this series]
• Political violence

Summary note

"This book focuses on the involvement of some Kenyans in al-Shabaab, an affiliate of Al-Qaeda based in Somalia, despite their country's relative stability compared to Somalia. The book discusses the origin of the Kenyan state and how colonization created social stratification that benefited elites closer to the centre, while excluding marginalized groups at the periphery. The argument is that this pattern still prevails, despite attempts to enhance equality, such as the adoption of a new constitution in 2010 promoting the devolution of power and resources. The persistence of this condition, it is argued, is what initially handed al-Qaeda and later al-Shabaab opportunities for mobilization, enabled by its creative politicization of religion. The heavy-handed tactics employed by security forces under the auspices of the 'War on Terror' further catalysed this process, resulting in more Kenyan individuals joining the group. Using an historical and political process approach, the book shows how the interplay of structural conditions and al-Shabaab's mobilization strategy linked with individuals' motivations for joining the group. Based on individuals' own narratives about their participation, the latter is empirically demonstrated to be non-linear, incorporating motivations beyond rational ones, contrary to the overemphasis on ideology in the literature on participation in groups similar to al-Shabaab. This book will of much interest to students of political violence, African politics, Islamic studies and International Relations"-- Provided by publisher.

Bibliographic references

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Contents

• Introduction
• The Kenyan state, its Muslim citizens and their early reaction to exclusion and state repression
• On al-Shabaab
• Pathways to Al-Shabaab
• Returning from Al-Shabaab and issues of Kenyan returnees: excursus
• Conclusion.

Show 3 more Contents items

ISBN

• 9781032391458 (hardcover)
• 1032391456 (hardcover)
• 9781032391465 (paperback)
• 1032391464 (paperback)

LCCN

2024021341

OCLC

1443084267

Statement on language in description

Princeton University Library aims to describe library materials in a manner that is respectful to the individuals and communities who create, use, and are represented in the collections we manage. Read more...