Keywords & concepts

Common terms, schemes and organisations explained.

Calendar

May

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Kenya

The programme in Kenya is jointly developed by the British Council and PeaceNet Kenya, taking place in two communities in Ndeffo (Rift Valley Province) and Ukunda (Coast Province). Both regions have been identified as key areas for delivery of the Kenyan government’s Vision 2030 strategy – with the Rift Valley economically important for food production, and the coast for tourism and sea transport.

Rift Valley
Ndeffo has a population of 100,000 approximately, 60% of which are young people. Post-election violence in Kenya from December 2007 brought about internally displaced persons (IDP), many of whom were evicted from their homes by indigenous communities who accused them of invading their ancestral land. With livelihoods destroyed and homes lost, many IDP settled in temporary camps in Rift Valley. Active Citizens will focus on a small community that contains two large ethnic groups, Kalenjin and Kikuyu, who have lived uneasily side-by-side since the elections. Despite the lack of social cohesion, they have to share the same resources and infrastructure, such as water points, schools, roads and religious sites. This opportunity for dialogue is seen as essential to reconciling their communities, and many locals are committed to establishing peace, resource-sharing and community activism.

Ukunda

Diani is a division of Ukunda, with a population of 600,000 approximately, 65% of which are young people. Economic activity here is mainly based on tourism and fishing, and the area boasts beautiful natural scenery as well as rich sources of minerals like uranium and silica. However, it has seen much ethnic violence in recent years and now experiences social deprivation and internal conflicts, particularly between different religious groups (Muslims make up 60% of the population, and Christians 40%). The community is visibly male-dominated, while issues relating to the needs of women and children are commonly neglected. Hostility also exists between indigenous and migrant people: both Kenyans and non-Kenyans (including Europeans) who have bought land from the local community are regarded as enjoying economic success while many locals remain poor, thus heightening friction. (See newsletter PDF below).

As part of the initial pilot scheme, thirty participants were recruited from Ndeffo and Ukunda in early January 2010 and training workshops were carried out in the last week of the month. Social Action Projects (SAPs) are being planned, which will be implemented under the guidance of experienced community mentors. “This is a once in a lifetime opportunity,” says James Mwangiri, key stakeholder and participant in the Active Citizens programme. “A new dawn is being revealed in Diani, and we must strive to ensure that our people not only benefit from the SAPs but that it will also bring our diverse community together and share our common goal for positive development.

Community links are being developed with the Rift Valley Active Citizens hosting Derry and Bradford in March, as well as Ukunda Active Citizens hosting Cardiff and Bradford. Return visits to the UK Active Citizens Communities are being planned for May.

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PeaceNet Kenya

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