Countering prison radicalisation: CEPOL holds first training in Kenya

Detecting terrorist recruitment in prisons and preventing the spread of violent extremism require correctional facilities staff to recognise risks and coordinate effective responses. Through its EU-funded CT INFLOW project, CEPOL brought together practitioners from eight partner countries for training in Nairobi from 7 to 11 September 2026. This was the project’s first activity in Kenya since the country joined as a partner.

The course brought together representatives of ministries of justice and interior, judicial authorities, prison and correctional services, and law enforcement, security and intelligence bodies. The Delegation of the European Union to Kenya supported the activity, which placed respect for human rights and the rule of law at the centre of discussions.

Sessions on dynamic security explored how professional relationships between prison staff and prisoners can help detect changes in behaviour and signs of radicalisation. Participants also explored links between organised crime and terrorism, including the risks posed by connections between criminal and terrorist networks in prisons.

Discussions on multi-agency cooperation highlighted the role of social and psychological services and religious service providers alongside prison services, law enforcement, intelligence bodies and the judiciary.

“Prison radicalisation cannot be addressed through security measures alone. For the EU, sound risk assessment, lawful information-sharing, rehabilitation and reintegration are all part of the responses. We are pleased to support this exchange of operational experience with Kenya and partners from across East Africa, North Africa and the Middle East,” said Mohammed Ibrahim, CT Counsellor and Security at the Delegation of the European Union to Kenya. 

The exchanges highlighted shared priorities for further work, such as coordination between institutions, systems for sharing information and sustained support for rehabilitation and reintegration programmes. The activity forms part of CEPOL’s EU-funded CT INFLOW project, which supports partner countries in strengthening their counter-terrorism capacities through training and cooperation.