Civil Peace Service: Using civil methods to manage violent conflicts

Context

Kenya is perceived as a stronghold of peace, stability and democracy within a fragile regional context characterised by political instability. Nevertheless, social conflicts rooted in socio-historical grievances often tend to escalate violently, in most cases leading to land and resource disputes.

Although the peaceful 2022 presidential elections brought some political stability, the country still faces major challenges. These include a very wide range of issues, to name only a few: chronic poverty, youth unemployment, crime, terrorism and unequal distribution of natural resources, which are at the core of ethnic based conflicts in the country.

The programme cooperates with other civil peace service (CPS) organisations and seeks not only to promote peace by preventing violence and transforming conflicts but also by enhancing the capabilities of actors in Kenya to identify and effectively respond to escalation of violence.

Objective

Local actors in Kenya are handling conflicts that relate to social inequality without the use of violence, thus promoting social cohesion in communities.

Approach

The CPS has been supporting civil society partner organisations in Kenya since 2009 and increasingly governmental partner organisations as well. The present focus is on the following activities:

• Promoting peace journalism through campaigns for conflict-sensitive reporting in the media and more coverage of peacebuilding topics.
• Developing alternative justice systems and establishing dialogue structures to resolve conflicts without violence.
• Providing mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) for traumatised victims of violence, injustices, poverty and a lack of prospects. Employees in partner organisations also receive this kind of support to empower and encourage them to take part in dialogue processes.
• Creating a positive change in the attitudes of the general public, government representatives and politicians to promote socio-economic justice.

Last update: June 2023