Influence of Leaders’ Collaboration and Empowerment on Resilience to Violent Extremism among Boys’ Secondary Schools in the North Eastern Counties of Kenya

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to assess the influence of leaders’ collaboration and empowerment on resilience to violent extremism among boys’ secondary schools in the north eastern counties of Kenya.  The study utilized a cross-sectional approach that collated both qualitative and quantitative data to meet the purposes of the study. The large study sample included 5,870 male secondary school learners, 18 Directors of Education, 18 Deputy County Commissioners (DCCs), and 108 school administrators spread across Garissa, Wajir, and Mandera counties. To obtain 375 study subjects, stratification and simple random methods were used on the entire population. A pre-test study was conducted in Lamu County. SPSS version 26.0 was used for purposes of analysis. The quantitative data was examined through statistical description methods incorporating frequencies, percentages, and table representation. Moreover, correlation examined cross-relationships between study variables. On the other hand, qualitative data was examined through thematic analysis, thus ensuring its alignment with research objectives. The study reveals strong student-school leader collaboration on safety and peace, fostering trust, open dialogue, and student empowerment. While schools promote resilience against extremism, gaps remain in mentorship, unity-focused activities, and community partnerships. Interview respondents recommend institutionalizing student engagement and multi-stakeholder collaboration for stronger preventive frameworks. The findings affirm that leaders who practice collaboration and empowerment foster a collective sense of ownership in the fight against violent extremism. Empowered staff members and students are more alert, proactive, and engaged in maintaining the safety and unity of the school environment. By involving staff in decision-making and sharing responsibility, school leaders build a culture of shared leadership and vigilance. School leadership should prioritize collaboration and empowerment by creating opportunities for teachers and students to take part in decision-making processes. Training and development programs that emphasize collaborative skills, teamwork, and shared responsibility should be implemented.