Dynamics of Peace-Building in Post-Conflict Community and Implications on Cohesion in Njoro Sub-County, Nakuru County, Kenya

Abstract

Violent conflicts are on the rise both at the interpersonal and communal levels. In Njoro Sub-County of Kenya, the context of this study, similar to the global and continental levels, communal violence is a common phenomenon especially prior to and during election periods. These violent conflicts have socio-economic and political impacts with adverse impacts on sustainable developments. More importantly, despite the peace-building interventions, communal violence is unabated. This raises pertinent questions as to the effectiveness of the peace-building approaches in study location. This study was guided by the constructivist philosophical stance and informed by the Bottom-Up Peace-Building Theory that emphasises on the importance of engaging the subjective narratives of the grassroots communities. Furthermore, the study adopted mixed methods with a bias to the qualitative approach. In ensuring reliability and validity, the researcher was reflexive throughout the research process. Equally, a cross sectional research design and multi-stage sampling of data were considered appropriate for the study. For the survey questionnaire, a sample of 399 respondents was picked using Taro Yamane’s formula. Since this was a sensitive research, anonymity, privacy and ‘the do no harm principle’ethcal considerations were applied. The key research findings were first; the top leadership tended to apply the liberal peace-building approaches which are top-down and generic thus marginalising the voices and participation of the grassroots population, in this case, those at Njoro Sub-County, Nakuru, Kenya, a key component to suatainable peace-building. The study argues for a peace-building approach that will engage the subjective narratives of those at the grassroots level. Second, the causes of communal violence are multifaceted and entrenched in the different communities’ culture. This highlights the importance of inclusivity of all in the affected communities in the peace-building processes. The youth, women, community and church elders are key in ensuring sustainable peace-building. Third; human security entailing freedom from want and fear as well as community cohesion were identified as the key threats in the communities’ efforts to sustainable peace-building. Thus, the need to address the key triggers such as segregated settlements, incitement by politicians, animosity and negative aspects of traditions and beliefs among the different communities. The ‘Nyumba Kumi’ (a security peace initiative made of 10 households) and grassroots peace committees are key components of community peace-building interventions to the realisation of sustainable peace. Also, of importance is addressing the problem of proliferation of small arms and light weapons and the structural issue of land for community cohesion to sustainable development.