AN ASSESSMENT ON THE ROLE OF FAITH-BASED ORGANIZATIONS IN PEACE BUILDING IN KIBERA, LANGATA SUB-COUNTY, NAIROBI COUNTY.

Abstract

Religion has time and again been thought of as playing a central role in generating conflicts, mainly internal ones. While it may perhaps be a source of conflict, its part in the overall peace process has all too often been overlooked. Faith-based organizations (FBOs) are a significant but understudied segment of the NGO family as a peace building actor. In this paper, the emphasis is mainly on the importance of the FBOs in the process of building peace, especially looking at their effectiveness in peace building. To achieve this, the study specifically aimed at 1) Establishing the activities done by Faith Based Organizations in building Peace in Kibera, Langata Sub-county, Nairobi County, Kenya, 2). Examining peace building approaches used by the Faith Based Organizations in building peace in Kibera, Langata Sub-county, Nairobi County, Kenya, 3). Assessing the challenges faced by Faith Based Organizations in peace-building in Kibera, Langata Sub-county, Nairobi County, Kenya, 4). Examining the measures put in place to address conflict by Faith Based Organizations in Kibera, Langata Sub-county, Nairobi County, Kenya. The above objectives formed the basis for the specific questions to build the research. The researcher employed the conflict transformation theory whose proponent is John Paul Lederach. This theory was found to be suited to the study because it goes beyond conflict resolution by addressing what we need to stop and also what we hope to build. It presents the problem of conflict resolution by addressing what we need to stop and also what we hope to build. It presents the problem of conflict as an opportunity to transform the relationships and the systems on which the relationships are embedded. This study employed a descriptive design. The study used purposive sampling in which respondents were selected on the basis of their involvement in peace building. The sample size for the study was 200 respondents. The data collection method in this research included semi structured questionnaires, Focus Group Discussion, and key informant interviews. The study adhered to the ethical issues such as informed consent, anonymity, confidentiality, participant privacy and the do-no-harm principle. Code of Research Ethics specific to St Paul’s University was also considered. This research will then be submitted to the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences for examination in partial fulfillment for the award of Masters in Development Studies at St. Paul’s University.