Following the post-election violence that left more than one thousand dead in Kenya, a community social contract was signed on 21 November 2008 in Kenya's Sotik and Borabu districts by the two communities in an event held to symbolise a transition from protracted ethnic conflict to peaceful co-existence. The pact marked a turning point towards unity and development among the communities.
This was part of a project coordinated by ACORD and Cereal Growers Association (CGA) seeking to create space for community dialogue and reconciliation. During the event, named in Swahili as "Umoja ni Nguvu" (Unity is Strength), the signing of the peace 'treaty' by the affected communities was complemented by sharing of food, participation in a friendly football match, traditional dance and music.
Ongoing projects
Community leaders from Bukusu, Sabaot and Teso signing social peace contracts at Mabanga in western Kenya, witnessed by the Vice President of Kenya.
ACORD has been working in Kenya since 2005 in response to the chronic droughts faced by pastoralist communities along the Kenya and Tanzania border and recently the northern regions of Marsabit and Mandera. In the Western part of Kenya, the Community Social Peace and Reconciliation Methodology (CSPR) was applied in response to the post-election violence with a view to supporting peace consolidation and community reconciliation.
>> Livelihoods: ACORD is working towards improving small-scale farmers and pastoralists knowledge on crop and livestock production methods, sustainable land and water management practices, agricultural policy frameworks; increase the skills of small-scale farmers and pastoralist organisations to access information on agricultural practices, networking with research institutions and disseminating information to their members.
This also involves strengthening capacity of small-scale farmer and pastoralist organisations to engage in processes around the Comprehensive African Agricultural Development Programme (CAADP) and the Pastoralist Policy Framework of the African Union, agricultural plicy literacy and advocacy.
>> Gender and Women's Rights: Seeking to develop a sustained behaviour change and appropriate community responses to end impunity for sexual crimes and gender based violence, ACORD is aiming to economically empower women survivors. A multi-stakeholder learning group and stronger partnership are key elements for addressing the issues of sexual violence more effectively.
>> Peacebuilding: ACORD's CSPR methodology aimed at generating leadership for sustainable peace and recovery among divided communities focuses on building the capacities of the communities themselves in conflict resolution and strengthening the local mitigation mechanisms to avoid escalation of conflicts. This approach is rooted in dialogue between the divided parties to facilitate truth, healing, forgiveness and reconciliation in order to promote understanding and facilitate the formulation of an agreement on the modalities for long-term peaceful coexistence and non-violent alternatives to conflict.
Communities in Sotik and Borabu have benefited from the methodology that contributed to recovery needs of post election violence victims as well as translate the National Peace Accord into practice at the community level. Recently, communities from the Bukusu, Sabaot and Teso from western Kenya also signed a social peace agreement and committed themselves to peaceful coexistence.
Where we work
Our coordination office is in Nairobi and our programmes have spread out to various regions: Marsabit and Mandera in Northern Kenya, Mount Elgon and Sotik/Borabu districts in Western Kenya.
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Communities in Kenya tell their stories
The post election violence and the resulting insecurity were a real threat for women because women and children are the most vulnerable during such conditions where brute force is used. Women are physically weaker and find it difficult to defend themselves. We also have small children whom we have to take care of, by struggling to flee together. During the skirmishes, our house was burnt at Memisi and we were forced to flee. We lived at a nearby police camp for a while before we could access relatives' homes on the other side who offered us shelter. Everything was destroyed; we were left destitute and helpless. We were also unable to make use of our farms during much of the period due to the insecurity (January to March planting season) as well as fear of being raped by marauding gangs. Monica Wanjou from Memisi, Borabu District
Monica Wanjou was able to receive fertilizers and maize seeds from ACORD working closely with Cereal Growers Association.
Our partners in Kenya
In Kajiado District, the water provision and access project has been implemented and designed in close cooperation with the indigenous local organisation, Neighbours Initiative Alliance (NIA) and the Kilonito community. ACORD is also working closely through its networking and partnership development with Women in Fishing Industry Programme (WIFIP), the CSO Network, Agricultural Rural Development Programme (ARDP) and the Catholic Diocese of Nakuru.
ACORD receives valuable support from donors including the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), UN Women, UNDP, the Dutch Government and Oxfam Hong Kong.
Photos, videos and publications
Community voices (DVD, 2010).
Join the people from the communities of Sotik and Borabu as they work through a peace-building process over a year following the outbreak of violence during disputed national elections in Kenya.
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Training Small-Scale Farmers in Kenya (DVD, 2010).
A short film showing practical learning activities during training of trainers on effective agricultural practices. The training targeted small-scale farmers and pastoralists who benefitted from skills on how to promote effective agricultural practices.
english and swahili
Violence against Women in Africa: an Imported Agenda or a Hidden Reality? - Reflections from University Students in Kenya (2010).
A compilation of essays written by students in Kenya on the issue of violence against women and girls.
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Pursuing justice for sexual and gender based violence in Kenya: summary of reparations options. Report on options for improving the legal system for responding to sexual and gender-based violence in DRC, in particular on establishing compensation mechanisms for survivors.
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Making the law count: Kenya: an audit of legal practice on sexual violence (report, 2009).
A review of legal practice on sexual violence in Kenya, looking at: what national laws deal with sexual violence; how judges and other court officials interpret the law; police attitude to sexual violence; role of health institutions. The review also makes recommendations for civil society advocacy to improve the response to sexual violence.
english
A summary is also available of all the 'legal audits' carried out in five countries in the Great Lakes Region:
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Community Peace Recovery and Reconciliation: A Handbook for Generating Leadership for Sustainable Peace and Recovery among Divided Communities (2011). The approach is rooted in dialogue to facilitate truth, healing, forgiveness and reconciliation in order to promote understanding and facilitate the formulation of an agreement on the modalities for peaceful coexistence and non-violent alternatives to conflict.
english
You can also find more resources on ACORD's work in Kenya on our website.
Photos of ACORD's work in Kenya can be sent upon request by writing to communications@acordinternational.org
How you can support communities in Kenya
Financial donations and in-kind support to ACORD's work in Kenya go a long way in providing support to pastoralist communities along the Kenya-Tanzania border, strengthening civil society and promoting peace and reconciliation. These act as crucial capacity building factors for successful implementation of our projects. Commitments and ownership by communities themselves to sustain their own facilities ensures that our programmes have a lasting impact on their livelihoods and their development.
For more information on our work in Kenya please sign up to our newsletter, visit your nearest ACORD office or call us.
Leonie Abela, Programme Officer for ACORD in Kenya.
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