Save A Kenyan Initiative

Faith in Focus: SAKI Partners with Media Council of Kenya to Counter Religious Extremism
2025-09-10
The Save a Kenyan Initiative (SAKI) is stepping up its efforts to address the threat of religious extremism by forging a new partnership with the Media Council of Kenya (MCK). The collaboration seeks to promote responsible reporting and counter harmful extremist narratives across the country.
For SAKI, the fight against religious extremism goes beyond monitoring sects and cults. It is about protecting communities from dangerous doctrines that undermine public health, education, security, and the Constitution. As SAKI Executive Director Eric Githaiga explained:
“The doctrines of some sects, which prohibit vaccination and formal education, have led to preventable deaths and violations of the law. These practices are unconstitutional and pose serious public health and security risks.”
He emphasised the urgent need to sensitise journalists particularly at the grassroots level on how extremist groups operate and the dangers they present to society.
The urgency of this partnership has been sharpened by the Shakahola tragedy, where the misuse of faith by a cult leader led to the deaths of hundreds of Kenyans. The incident revealed how quickly extremist ideologies can take root and how critical the role of the media is in shaping understanding, preventing panic, and avoiding sensationalism that could inflame tensions.
MCK Chief Executive Officer David Omwoyo welcomed the collaboration, noting the crucial role of the media in shaping public understanding. “There is a need for sensitisation in the media sector. Challenges in coverage have been evident, particularly during the Shakahola tragedy. We must focus on factual reporting without sensationalism, supported by continuous training and sensitisation,” he said. He further highlighted that responsible storytelling and digital literacy forums can foster awareness and prevent the misuse of press freedom.
The partnership will prioritise the creation of practical tools and platforms to support journalists and community media. This includes developing a reporting handbook with clear protocols for covering religious extremism, rolling out continuous training programmes, and convening a national media roundtable to encourage dialogue on responsible coverage of cults and sects.
Through this initiative, SAKI aims to establish a collaborative monitoring mechanism to curb the misuse of media freedoms by extremist preachers. Journalists will be empowered to tell stories that are factual, sensitive, and constructive, with a strong focus on behaviour change communication that listens to and engages target audiences.
While MCK brings regulatory oversight and professional standards to the initiative, including the new Code of Conduct for Media Practice 2025, SAKI anchors the collaboration in community resilience, strategic communication, and counter-extremism expertise. Together, the two organisations are working to ensure that the media becomes a partner in safeguarding Kenya’s future, amplifying positive narratives, and strengthening national cohesion.
At its core, this partnership reflects SAKI’s broader mission: to stand at the frontline of protecting Kenyans from harmful ideologies, restoring dignity to communities, and ensuring that faith is used as a force for peace and hope—not manipulation or harm.

From the Valley of Death to Pathways of Peace: Government Amnesty and SAKI Program Inspire Hope in Kerio Valley
2025-09-11 - 2025-09-14 | Iten Town, Iten, Elgeyo Marakwet County, Kenya
Amidst the ongoing security operation to flush out bandits from the troubled Kerio Valley, often referred to as the “Valley of Death,” the Government of Kenya has extended an amnesty to those willing to surrender, lay down their weapons, and embrace peace. Encouragingly, seven notorious rustlers, who had long topped the most-wanted lists in Elgeyo Marakwet and West Pokot Counties, have taken this bold step.
These former bandits openly expressed relief at regaining their freedom after years of hiding in thickets and caves, constantly on the run and dodging bullets. The amnesty, they say, has given them a new lease on life and a chance to walk a different path.
In partnership with the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), SAKI organized a three-day engagement with the reformed bandits in Iten Town, Elgeyo Marakwet County. The program included psychosocial assessments to evaluate their vulnerabilities and come up with viable recommendations for the rehabilitation and reintegration.
Also present at the engagement were community representatives from both Elgeyo Marakwet and West Pokot Counties, alongside church leaders led by the Bishop of African Inland Church (AIC) Elgeyo Marakwet Diocese, Rev. David Kipsoi, and Rev. Barsiton Bowen from Chesongoch AIC Church. Rev. Bowen has been particularly instrumental in mentoring and offering spiritual support- as well as providing a safe haven- for notorious bandits willing to surrender. Their involvement underscored the vital role of faith-based institutions and community leadership in fostering reconciliation and peace.
Speaking during the event, NCTC Director General Mr. Kibiego Kigen assured the reform bandits of government support for their sustainable livelihoods and reintegration, while guaranteeing their safety. He commended them for their courageous decision and urged them to actively champion peace by encouraging their peers to also surrender their weapons before the amnesty window closes.
On its part, SAKI reaffirmed its commitment to walking alongside the reformed bandits in their rehabilitation and reintegration journey. SAKI also appealed to them to serve as peace ambassadors throughout the Kerio Valley region, inspiring others to abandon violence and embrace peace.
One of the reformed bandits, Mr. Wycliffe Kipkoskei, expressed deep gratitude to the Government, NCTC, and SAKI for supporting their transformation. Having once fled to a neighboring country to evade capture, he returned to take advantage of the amnesty. Now determined to pursue a course in videography, he movingly declared that he is “willing to drop the gun for a camera”- with the hope of creating content that will enlighten young people on the dangers of crime.
The journey of transformation in the Kerio Valley requires collaboration, patience, and commitment. SAKI remains steadfast in its mission to champion peace and reintegration- working hand in hand with government agencies, community leaders, and faith-based institutions. Together, we believe lasting peace is possible when communities choose dialogue over violence, hope over fear, and unity over division

Save A Kenyan Calls for Strengthened Community Safeguards Following Rescue of Cult-Held Children in Mombasa
2025-11-03
Save A Kenyan Initiative (SAKI) expresses deep concern following reports of 27 individuals, including children, rescued from a religious sect in Changamwe, Mombasa, allegedly confined and
isolated under extremist conditions. We commend the swift action by security agencies and the vigilance of community members that led to the intervention.
Early reports indicate that children were withdrawn from school, denied medical care, and subjected to isolation from the community; behaviours consistent with coercive religious extremism and indoctrination practices. This incident underscores the urgent need for community-based vigilance, child-protection mechanisms, and psychosocial support pathways to counter rising sect-related radicalisation activities in Kenya.
As an organisation committed to safeguarding vulnerable communities from violent extremist influences, Save A Kenyan Initiative emphasises that victims of coercive religious extremism require trauma-informed support, rehabilitation, and reintegration – not stigma or criminalisation.
Our Immediate Response
Save A Kenya will work closely with authorities, local religious leaders, and child-protection agencies to ensure affected individuals, especially minors, receive :-

Emergency psychosocial and trauma support
Faith-sensitive deradicalisation counselling
Educational reintegration assistance for children
Family and community support services to foster safe reintegration

Save A Kenyan Initiative reaffirms its commitment to working with national and grassroots actors to build safe, resilient, and inclusive communities where no child is exploited under the guise of religion.
