SAFERWORLDKenya Introduction Kenya is a multi-ethnic country that experiences several It is ten years since Kenya adopted a new constitution that set Competition between communities and clans We have suffered all forms of types of overlapping conflict. These include conflict over in motion a devolution of power to newly created counties. for political supremacy has characterised the conflicts! And now the political landscape since independence and resources, cycles of election-related violence, sexual and The outcomes of devolution so far have been mixed. While al-Shabaab attacks have made gender-based violence, increasing numbers of attacks there have been benefits, it has also created new centres of remains the major challenge to stability in Kenya. by non-state armed groups, and violence associated with power, and some communities remain marginalised from Violence involving non-state armed groups also it worse. In fact, the focus law enforcement, including extra-judicial killings by the political processes. This has led to conflicts both within undermines stability, both in coastal and north- now is not on ethnic conflict police and attacks on police officers. counties over local political positions and between counties eastern areas of the country and increasingly anymore, the main source of over access to natural resources, while weak accountability in urban areas. The impact of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has reinforced threat now is al-Shabaab. mechanisms have allowed corruption to thrive. Large-scale these conflict dynamics. For instance, sexual and gender- infrastructure projects and oil and gas exploration have taken A member of the National Assembly, Mandera North, based violence (including by law enforcement officers) during a donor consultative meeting, February 2020. place with minimal local consultation, which raises tensions increased in the first half of 2020. Measures to prevent and reinforces conflicts between different communities that the spread of COVID-19 have also had adverse effects on are in competition over resources – especially in arid and businesses and household income, with immediate and long- semi-arid areas where livestock migratory routes term implications for food security, social cohesion, crime are frequently affected. and human rights. This has taken place against a backdrop of weak governance, growing inequality, and erratic and extreme weather. Batula Hassan, chairperson of Mandeleo ya Wanawake Laisamis, gives her thoughts on ways forward during Saferworld’s County Peace Conference in Marsabit in June 2015. © Emmanuel O Productions OVER CONDUCTED About us AT LEAST Saferworld is an independent international organisation YEARS working to prevent violent conflict and build safer lives. 20 WORKING ON PEACE, We work with people affected by conflict to improve 20 SECURITY AND GOVERNANCE. TRAININGS BETWEEN 2014 their safety and sense of security, and conduct wider AND 2019, REACHING 1,106 research and analysis. We use this evidence and learning CARRIED OUT PROJECTS MEN, WOMEN AND YOUNG to improve local, national and international policies and PEOPLE. practices that can help build lasting peace. Our priority AND RESEARCH IN is people – we believe in a world where everyone can lead peaceful, fulfilling lives, free from fear and PUBLISHED COUNTIES. insecurity. We are a not-for-profit organisation working 22 in 12 countries and territories across Africa, Asia and the Middle East. PROVIDED SUPPORT TO 22 PIECES OF RESEARCH, Saferworld has been working in Kenya since 2000 at ANALYSIS AND GUIDANCE national, sub-national and community levels. We work SINCE 2000. with a range of civil society and governmental partners 89 to transform policies and practices so that they support PARTNER ORGANISATIONS peace and security. Over the past 20 years, we have AND COMMUNITY GROUPS IMPLEMENTED contributed to positive change in the areas of community OVER THE PAST FIVE YEARS. security, election violence, resource-based/climate- related conflicts, conflict-sensitive development and REACHED 5 investment, small arms and light weapons control, and ELECTION SECURITY police reform. In all our work we prioritise accountability, PROGRAMMES BETWEEN inclusion and participation, especially of women 2010 AND 2017. and girls. 58,687 MEN, WOMEN AND YOUNG We work with: PEOPLE THROUGH SINCE 2017, PROJECTS, INCLUDING CARRIED OUT n communities n businesses 110 STATE AND NON-STATE n women’s groups n youth leaders INSTITUTIONS. n political leaders n people with disabilities n county governments n faith-based groups 3 RESEARCH PROJECTS n the media n local peace committees TO RAISE AWARENESS OF n the police n traditional leaders ALTERNATIVE APPROACHES TO RESPONDING TO VIOLENT ARMED GROUPS. Saferworld’s Naftali Ruttoh gives a presentation during groupwork sessions at a learning event related to a climate change governance project. © Saferworld Saferworld and partners’ achievements in Kenya n We supported engagements with policymakers and n We pioneered a climate change governance project in n We supported mediation by religious leaders to address members of parliament, leading to the adoption of the 2018 in Samburu County as a response to resource-based electoral tensions ahead of the 2017 elections – this led to Kenya Police Policy by the national assembly in 2015 – conflicts made worse by climate change. the formation of the Dialogue Reference Group of religious a national framework to guide efforts to prevent conflict n We supported the formation of the Peace and Cohesion leaders, which continues to engage on issues of national and build peace. Sector Forum, the first ever regional framework for peace concern, such as corruption and COVID-19. n We supported the establishment and training of community and cohesion in northern Kenya. n We promoted inclusive and accountable governance of action groups to advocate for accountable service delivery. n We provided training for media companies, journalists and natural resources (such as land, pasture and water) to help n We improved security in selected communities by editors on conflict-sensitive journalism. support peace, security and resilience in communities in northern Kenya affected by climate change. supporting community policing, including confidence- n We produced research on critical issues, such as how building and dialogue between youth and the police. political settlements affect peace and security, the impacts n We were a founding member of the Usalama Reforms Forum, of devolution on inclusion, and alternatives to countering Following a student dialogue session hosted by Saferworld, a group of student participants have a chat outside the university’s business school. The dialogue which champions police reform in Kenya. ‘violent extremism’. was related to election violence at university campuses, and was organised by Universities and Colleges Student Peace Association of Kenya (UCSPAK) and supported by Saferworld. © Alexandra Azua Hale/Saferworld John Losila Nawezi, a youth representative from Loyangalani, takes notes A student responds to the question ‘What is peace to you?’ as part of a during Saferworld’s County Peace Conference in Marsabit, June 2015. dialogue related to election violence at university campuses, organised © Emmanuel O Productions by Universities and Colleges Student Peace Association of Kenya (UCSPAK) and supported by Saferworld. © Ramon Sanchez Orense/Saferworld Our approach We take a people-centred approach to tackle issues that cause insecurity. Core approaches underpinning our work include conflict sensitivity, gender sensitivity and working across multiple levels. This means advocating at a national level, based on programme experience, and making sure that the diverse voices of the people we work with in different counties are included. Our programme uses evidence and analysis to influence the Our work priorities, policies and legislative agendas of the Kenyan national government, county authorities and state agencies, including the National Police Service, the National Steering Supporting young people Saferworld and partners are working to ensure that young Committee on Peacebuilding and Conflict Management, the people can engage peacefully with elections in Kenya. The vast majority (an estimated 75 per cent) of Kenya’s National Cohesion and Integration Commission, and regional We create spaces for youth dialogue, and promote peaceful population is under 35 years old. Young Kenyans face many bodies such as the Frontier Counties Development Council. alternatives to addressing grievances and frustrations with challenges, including high unemployment and a lack of violence. Within our long-term goal of transforming the structural opportunities, which can be factors behind their involvement drivers of conflict and violence in Kenya, we currently focus in political violence and susceptibility to exploitation by the In the run up to the 2017 elections we worked closely on three main objectives: political elite. During elections – a long-standing source with young people to support their participation in the of division in Kenya – it is crucial that young people have election process, providing platforms for them to engage in n to reduce ethnic and political violence linked to electoral opportunities to speak and be heard. This is particularly conversations both pre- and post-election. We also supported processes important as young people often bear the brunt of heavy- youth-led and youth-focused organisations to be at the centre n to strengthen