Children’s Activities on Peace-building Processes in Post Conflict Kenya

Abstract

This study sought to establish the role of children in peacebuilding in Post-conflict Kenya. The research explored children intercommunal peacebuilding activities in Kenya with special emphasis on the Abagusii and Maasai communities of southern Kenya. The research was informed by the New Sociology of Childhood by James and Prout’s (1997). The study adopted a mixed research approach with a multiple case study design. The research was carried out along the border of Transmara and Gucha/Kenyenya sub-counties of Narok and Gusii counties respectively. The Transmara and Gucha/ Kenyenya border was purposively selected based on the frequent intercommunal conflict between the Maasai and Abagusii communities in the area. Six public primary schools, three from Narok and three from Kisii counties, respectively, were purposively selected for the study because they were adversely affected by the conflict between the two communities. 435 Class Seven and Class Eight pupils from the six sampled schools were purposively sampled to take part in the study. Twenty three teachers, six head teachers and six key informants, four county education officers and two chiefs were also purposively selected to participate in the study. The tools of data collection included interviews, focus group discussions and observation for qualitative data while quantitative data were collected through semi-structured questionnaires. Secondary data were gathered through document analysis of Nation Newspaper articles and National Music and Drama Festival videos. The research findings demonstrated that Kenyan children engage in a range of peacebuilding activities within their local contexts and at the national level. The activities include, inter-communal games and sports, music and dance, poems and drama, debates,visiting each other’s homes, sharing schools, taking part in inter-communal educational and environmental activities and inter-communal exchange programmes enhance inter-communal peace in Kenya. The study concluded that children have the potential to participate in peacebuilding processes in Kenya. The study recommends that government and other peace stakeholders, including local and international peace NGOs ought to come up with and fund more initiatives to enhance children participation in the country’s peacebuilding processes at local and national levels. Such initiatives should aim to scale up children voices and space from the confines of music and drama festivals to more strategic fora, such as children’s assembly, so as to inform policy. Keywords: Children, Peace building Activities,Conflict and Peace Building DOI : 10.7176/DCS/9-8-06 Publication date : August 31st 2019