RIFT VALLEY REGION.
ACORD has been running peace programmes across the country informed by its rich history and lessons learnt in working across 18 countries in Africa, most of them in conflict. Using the Community Peace Recovery and Reconciliation model (CPRR), ACORD intervened in the Rift Valley region, particularly targeting two bordering
districts, Sotik and Borabu, which had adversely been affected by the 2007 post-election violence. The successful signing of the Sotik and Borabu Agreement and the experience gained was used later in Bungoma and Trans Nzoia counties, working in partnership with the peace and rights programme of the Free Pentecostal
Fellowship Church of Kenya (FPFK), mobilising the Bukusu, Teso and Sabaot communities to jointly examine their differences and points of contention and arrive at a consensus of how to peacefully co-exist. These dialogues culminated in the signing of the historical Mabhanga Accord in 2011
KISUMU COUNTY.
ACORD in partnership with UN Women, WIFIP and other CSOs Network have been working with women political aspirants in Kenya with a focus in Kisumu and Migori since January 2012. The initiative has been geared towards encouraging women to actively participate in leadership, in specific having women vie for legislative and governance positions through the electoral process. Through mentoring and training women were supported to gain better understanding of the political landscape in which they operate.The project has also been replicated in Bungoma county.
MT ELGON REGION WESTERN KENYA AND KISUMU.
In 2015 the British Council, the Premier League and ACORD, funded by the UK’s Department for International Development (DFID), Launched a pilot programme in the Mount Elgon region Western Kenya, adressing violecnce against women and girls programme, in the communities of Kopsiro and Kapsokwony.The programme combines football and short education sessions to engage children and young people from
different social and ethnic backgrounds in activities that build positive relationships among them and challenge attitudes and behaviours that foster violence against women and girls (VAWG).
Kericho – Kisumu communities around Sondu, Soin Sigowet, Nyakach and Muhoroni.
ACORD UNDP and other partners organised an Inter and intra community cross-border dialogue forums for reconciliation and community dialogue forum targeting peace actors and stakeholders from Nyakach i.e. representatives from the District Peace Committees (DPCs), women and youth groups and elders. A few representatives from other areas including Kericho West and Muhoroni were also invited to the meeting since the conflict in Nyakach also affected the neighboring areas. The objective of the forum was to understand the conflict issues in Nyakach and to come up with sustainable solutions to these conflicts. The forum was also important for the planning of the inter community meeting that would bring the communities in Sondu and Nyakach together.
KWALE AND NAIVASHA COUNTIES.
In order to address the deteriorating security situation in different parts of the country the government of Kenya initiated a community safety initiative known as Nyumba Kumi (10 households) to complement the already established community policing structure which aimed at enhancing cooperation and building trust between the Kenyan communities and security agencies. However several gaps such as the lack of understanding of the Nyumba Kumi concept and its difference with Community Policing; lack of clarity of the roles of the Nyumba Kumi officials and the linkage between the community safety initiatives and the security agencies were identified as hindrances to improving security and peaceful coexistence in Kenya.
A forum was held on 8th December 2014 by ACORD and partners in Kwale County to demystify the community safety initiatives and to develop a community policing model together with community stakeholders, in order to enhance community participation and collaboration in security matters. The forum brought together both peace and security actors from Kwale County i.e. representatives from peace committees, the civil society, Nyumba Kumi, Community policing committees, the administration and the national police service.
A similar forum was held in Naivasha. Reflecting on resource based conflicts; Naivasha constituency has experienced the Ngaambani/Maela settlements land conflict, Ewaso Kedong and the controversial Narasha. In 2008, the sub-county was the hardest hit during the post election violence. Many lives were lost, people displaced and property was destroyed.
The meeting attracted the District Security and Intelligence Committee (DSIC), District peace committees (DPC), representatives of Peace net Kenya, Nakuru County Civil Society Organizations (including Faith Based Organizations (FBOs), the Sub-county Elders and Opinion leaders, the Business Community and the media to dialogue and establish a sustainable relationship that enhances community policing and Nyumba Kumi Initiatives in Naivasha.
ISIOLO AND MERU.
ACORD and partners conducted a dialogue session between Women of Faith from Isiolo and Meru, the focus being the simmering border conflict between the two Counties.The women exchanged experiences and ideas on the border conflicts from the respective two counties. The power that they have as women of faith and their potential as peace ambassadors was deliberated.
The Meru- Isiolo boundary has been a source of dispute for the two communities since time immemorial. The dispute has been a source of tensions and violent conflicts along the boundary in the past with each community laying its claim on the land. The source of the conflict can be traced back to the pre-independence period.
A couple of examples of situations and incidences which women of faith from Isiolo have intervened were shared. The women of faith also shared the challenges they face which included clanism, nepotism and tribalism. Another challenge faced was the fact that there are no elected women in their county government. They only have nominated members which they said does not give them a powerful voice to air the concerns in their respective counties.
From the discussions it also emerged that the women of faith of Meru were unaware of the rights that they have in the current constitution and the roles that they can play to give a positive influence in their county.
At the end of the session participants made several recommendations including; women of faith organize meetings with their respective county leadership in which they will discuss the relevant issues that are affecting them and this will enable them to come up with a report that will be used to guide them to plan for a way forward.
The women of faith use their various connections and influences to try and research and acquire an original map of the counties that are affected with the border dispute so as to have a guideline on how to intervene.
The women of faith will use the available avenues that they have at their disposal to voice their concerns.
KILIFI COUNTY.
A forum was held in Kilifi county to help strengthen peaceful coexistence between the faith communities in Kenya, build trust among citizens and the law enforcement agencies.
Those present were, ACORD and partners, Kilifi County Commissioner, other dignitaries who participated in the forum include Dr. Uthman Mujahid Lecturer at Pwani University, Kilifi County Police Commander & one NCIC Commissioner. The objective of the forum was on Countering Violent Extremism, promotion of Interfaith Cohesion, community security and reconciliation.
TANA DELTA, MARSABIT AND ISIOLO COUNTY.
Women play a key role in peace building in communities. For this reason, women from this counties were targeted to raise their awareness as well as empower them to understand their rights and roles in enhancing peace in the country
ACORD 