Religious Cover and the Success of Violent Extremist Narratives in Garissa, Tana River and Isiolo Counties.

Northern and Coastal Counties have prominently featured in the conversation about violent extremism (VE) and terrorism. Their presence, often foreshadowed by attacks, as in the case of Garissa University, local community targeting in Tana River, and local identified recruiters in the case of Isiolo. The three Counties not only share vulnerabilities with other bordering Counties, Garissa and Tana River shares a porous border with Somalia, thereby increasing the vulnerability to violent extremism engagement.