This study examined the social-cultural and economic factors that permit the radicalization of youths in Kenya. The specific objectives of this study were to: explore the social factors that drive Kenyan youth to radicalization, establish the effects of cultural factors on their radicalization, and identify those economic factors that drive them into violent radicalization and subsequently to extremism. The relative deprivation model was used to understand the influencers that drive Kenya youths to radicalization. Based on the theoretical perspectives of this study, the interpretivism approach was adopted. The study adopted a descriptive research design. The study population comprised of jailed jihadists and ex-jihadists who defected from Al-Shabaab and reformed. It consisted of a literature search from published sources, particularly on confessions by jailed jihadists and ex-jihadists. Results indicated Peer pressure and community influence, media influence, and family relationships as social factors involved. Cultural factors identified were, religious tolerance to extremism, women following their husbands, and revenge while the economic factors identified as a major contributor to the radicalization of youths were unemployment, financial incentive, and poverty.

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