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The Role of Music in Peacebuilding and Reconciliation: a Case of Kenya's 2007/2008 Post Election Violence by Njuru Afrikana Wa

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The Role of Music in Peacebuilding and Reconciliation: a Case of Kenya's 2007/2008 Post Election Violence by Njuru Afrikana Wa THE ROLE OF MUSIC IN PEACEBUILDING AND RECONCILIATION: A CASE OF KENYA’S 2007/2008 POST ELECTION VIOLENCE BY NJURU AFRIKANA WANJERI 633684 A Thesis submitted to the School of Humanities and Social Sciences (SHSS) in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the award of Master of Arts degree in International Relations (Peace and Conflict Studies) THE UNITED STATES INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY – AFRICA SUMMER 2017 i STUDENT’S DECLARATION I, the undersigned, declare that this is my original work and has not been submitted to any other college, institution or university other than the United States International University in Nairobi for academic credit. Signed: ________________________ Date: __________________ Njuru Afrikana Wanjeri 633684 This thesis has been presented for examination with my approval as the appointed supervisor. Signed: ________________________ Date: _____________________ Mr. Dan N. Odaba Supervisor Signed: _______________________ Date: ____________________ Dr. Tom Onditi Dean, School of Humanities & Social Sciences Signed: _______________________ Date: _________________ Amb. Prof. Ruthie C. Rono, HSC Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academic and Student Affairs ii ABSTRACT The use of music in reconciliation and peacebuilding efforts has long been assumed with many times its importance and potential being unrecognized. This academic study sought to cover Kenya by assessing the various programmes and activities of actors involved in music ,within and outside Nairobi, who have used music as a tool and channel of communicating peace and dialogue particularly after the 2007/2008 elections violence that rocked the country. It therefore assessed the goals that were set in the peacebuilding efforts such as the Agenda Four items in correlation with the messages sent and campaigns undertaken by music agents in the process. This is through investigating the process in four spheres: the role of music in post conflict community dialogues; in social and economic empowerment of communities including women and youth; in trauma healing and recovery of victims; and in conflict prevention; the main hypothesis being that music has played a crucial role in the process of peacebuilding and reconciliation in the case of Kenya‟s 2007/2008 post election violence. Eight organizations and their activities were assessed and analysed. This thesis details the background, scope and objectives of the research as well as an analysis of past studies, research design and methodologies, an analysis of the data collected, findings and recommendations. This study revealed that music greatly assisted in establishing community dialogues and urged leaders to set up mechanisms that support the victims of post-election violence. Further, the self-esteem of participants, especially of women and youth, was boosted and it brought people together by encouraging them to stop fighting. Music really aided in trauma healing and recovery, however the full attainment of the recovery is dependent on other factors such as counseling and other community engagements. It was realized that such initiatives need support from government and other agencies for sustainability and consistence. Further details on findings are indicated in chapter five. The study thus observes that music has played a crucial role in the process of peacebuilding and reconciliation in the case of Kenya‟s 2007/2008 post election violence. iii TABLE OF CONTENTS STUDENT‟S DECLARATION ............................................................................................................... ii ABSTRACT ............................................................................................................................................. iii LIST OF ACRONYMS/ABBREVIATIONS ......................................................................................... vii DEFINITIONS OF OPERATIONAL TERMS ..................................................................................... viii CHAPTER ONE ........................................................................................................................................... 1 1.0 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................ 1 1.1 Background Information to the study ................................................................................................. 1 1.2 Statement of the Problem .................................................................................................................... 4 1.3 Objectives of the study ........................................................................................................................ 5 1.3.1 General Objective ........................................................................................................................ 5 1.3.2 Specific Objectives ...................................................................................................................... 5 1.4 Hypothesis........................................................................................................................................... 5 1.5 Significance/Justification/Importance of the Study ............................................................................ 5 1.6 Scope of the Study .............................................................................................................................. 6 1.8 Organization of Study ......................................................................................................................... 6 CHAPTER TWO .......................................................................................................................................... 8 2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW ....................................................................................................................... 8 2.1Introduction .......................................................................................................................................... 8 2.2 Review of Past Studies ........................................................................................................................ 8 2.3 Summary and Gaps to be filled by the Study .................................................................................... 12 2.4 Conceptual Framework ..................................................................................................................... 14 CHAPTER THREE .................................................................................................................................... 15 3.0 RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODOLOGY ................................................................................ 15 3.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................. 15 3.2 Research Design and Methodology .................................................................................................. 15 3.3 Target Population ........................................................................................................................ 16 3.4Sampling and Sampling Procedures .................................................................................................. 16 3.5 Data Sources and Instruments ........................................................................................................... 17 3.6 Limitations and Delimitations of the Study ...................................................................................... 17 3.6.1 Limitations of the Study ............................................................................................................. 17 iv 3.6.2 Delimitations ............................................................................................................................. 18 3.7 Expected Output ................................................................................................................................ 18 CHAPTER FOUR ....................................................................................................................................... 19 4.0 RESULTS AND FINDINGS ................................................................................................................ 19 4.1 Introduction ....................................................................................................................................... 19 4.2 General Information on the Respondents .......................................................................................... 19 4.2.1 Permanent Presidential Music Commission (PPMC) .................................................................... 19 4.2.1.1 May We Dwell in Unity Project.............................................................................................. 20 4.2.2 The Alliance François: Spotlight on Kenyan Music Program (SOKM) ........................................ 22 4.2.2.1 SOKM: Weapons of Mass Reconciliation .............................................................................. 23 4.2.3 The Music Copyright Society of Kenya (MCSK).......................................................................... 24 4.2.4 Amka Kenya Initiative ................................................................................................................... 25 4.2.4.1 Chagua Peace Day .............................................................................................................. 26 4.2.5 One Vibe Africa ............................................................................................................................
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