February 2012 – April 2016
- Enhance ability of local institutions to lead and implement people-to-people peace building independently
- Reach 150,000 people directly through trainings and community events and 400,000 people indirectly through messaging and public awareness campaigns on civic education
- Strengthen social networks of community members and civil society groups to collaborate productively on community issues and address grievances
- 2,371 “at risk” youth reached with activities designed to transform them into law abiding and cohesion building citizens
- 270 supported events, trainings, or activities designed to build support for peace or reconciliation
- 743 youth trained and supported on entrepreneurship
Peace-Net Kenya, The Youth Banner and Kituo Cha Sheria
Eight informal settlements of Nairobi (Kiambiu, Kibera, Korogocho/Babadogo, Mathare, Dandora, Kangemi, Majengo, and Mukuru) and Eastleigh
Kenya Tuna Uwezo, (Kiswahili for “We have the power!”) aims to reduce ethnic and politically-motivated conflict in the informal settlements of Nairobi by strengthening communities to withstand political manipulation that leads to violent conflict. The activity strengthens community and civil society social networks and promotes collaboration on community issues toward the resolution of grievances.
Kenya Tuna Uwezo uses a “people to people approach” to
initiate dialogue on shared concerns. It does this with at-risk groups to build relationships, increase trust, and create lines of communication vital to promoting and sustaining peace. The activity helps communities to counter violent extremism by addressing the risk factors that drive people toward radicalization, and creating clear, mutually-beneficial action plans for resolution.
The activity works to expand knowledge of the 2010 Constitution to empower marginalized communities to engage their leaders in making informed decisions, including increasing citizens’ understanding of devolution and land reform. The activity supports civic education and community-led responses to community issues and conflicts.
The activity develops the technical, organizational capacity, and social networks of community-based organizations and officials to ensure sustainability of program activities. It also trains community leaders and groups to work effectively with one another across ethnic lines.
To sustain gains made in peacebuilding, Kenya Tuna Uwezo added a youth livelihood development component to its activity. This component supports youth in the informal settlements to develop or manage a successful business as an alternative to fighting.
Kenya Tuna Uwezo organizes “Devolution Festivals,” which use drama, music and poetry to communicate messages about devolution and its impact on the average citizen. One such festival was held in a church hall in the Kibera informal settlement, Nairobi County.
Mama Rosemary Alambo, a Kibera resident and participant in the Devolution Festival said:
“I’ve never felt this way before, a special kind of joy; I feel like lights have been turned on after years of darkness. I walked to this hall this morning hesitantly but now I pray for many more days like today. Thanks to all those involved in putting this together because I believe that this is the kind of training every Kenyan needs to be given for this country to progress. I never thought that the masses had so much power to even remove an unproductive leader from office, but surprisingly now I know that it is actually provided for by our laws. I now know how we, the women of Sarang’ombe village can reach out to our leaders and have them listen to kina mama (Swahili for women).”
Makena Kirima, Activity Manager
Office of Democracy, Rights and Governance
Kenya Tuna Uwezo Contact:
Selline Korir, Director
Kenya Tuna Uwezo Program
CHF International/ Kenya
Tel: +254 (20) 2101312/3
Updated August 2014
Last updated: November 19, 2014