The Cursed Promised Land? Demographic Risk Factors for Homegrown Extremism in the Squatter Enclaves of Mount Elgon Region of Western Kenya.

This article investigates demographic risk factors contributing to homegrown extremism within the land-use conflicts of the Mount Elgon region in Western Kenya. Using mixed methods research with data from 400 households, it finds that, contrary to conventional Euro-American perspectives, both men and women, older individuals, and married persons are at higher risk of involvement in extremism linked to protracted land disputes. The study highlights the significant roles women played in supporting and sustaining the conflict, including incitement, intelligence gathering, and logistical support, challenging typical gender assumptions in extremism research. It argues for a localized, multi-stakeholder human development approach to address underlying land injustices and demographic dynamics, emphasizing the need for Kenyan government agencies to prioritize these issues to mitigate extremism and promote sustainable peace.