Kariuki, Dorcas Njoki2024-04-302024-04-302023-10Kariuki, D. N., (2023). An Assessment of Information Utilization in Preventing Violent Extremism: A Case of Mombasa County Engagement Forum, Mombasa County, Kenya: Daystar University, School of Applied and Human Sciences. Thesishttps://repository.daystar.ac.ke/handle/123456789/4285MASTER OF ARTS in Monitoring and EvaluationViolent extremism(VE) disrupts peace and causes havoc in places which have experienced it. One of such places is Mombasa County. A lot of information on violent extremism is not being utilized, thus an escalation. This study assessed the place of information utilization towards the prevention of violent extremism within the context of the Mombasa County Engagement Forum (MCEF). Diffusion Theory and Information Interchange Theory were applied. Descriptive research design was used to guide the study and a sample of 127 participants randomly selected. Data was collected using questionnaire and key informant interview guide. Quantitative and qualitative data were analyzed using SPSS and thematic analysis respectively. The study established that information source (x̅=4.0241,  =.05678), information content (x̅=3. 6336,  =.06663), information medium (x̅=3.8099,  =.05422), information user (x̅=3.6777,  =.06256) and information context (x̅=3.6589,  =.06897) enhanced utilization of information in preventing violent extremism. Lastly, correlation analysis revealed that information utilization effectiveness had positive statistically significant effect on the prevention of violent extremism (r=.430, p<.01, N=121). Regression analysis revealed that information utilization effectiveness explains (18.5%) of prevention of violent extremism and a statistically significant degree R2 =.185, F(1) = 3.442, p<.05. Information credibility and verifiability emerged to be important to the utilization of the information. Peace appeared as the only benefit accrued from utilizing the information in preventing VE in Mombasa. The MCEF should prioritize improving its information gathering processes to ensure access to credible and reliable sources and increase the chances of prevention of VE in Mombasa County.enInformation UtilizationViolent ExtremismMombasa County Engagement ForumThesis