Kilifi County is one of the most patriarchal societies in Kenya. Kilifi County is characterized by perennial conflicts and radicalization in areas of Malindi, Kilifi, Mabrui, Tezo, Kaloleni, Ganze and Mtwapa. Efforts to address conflicts and violent extremism have targeted men and youths as they are perceived to be mostly affected by conflicts and violent extremism. Women have a critical role when it comes to conflicts and violent extremism as they either prevent or propagate conflicts. In addition women suffer as target or victims of conflicts and violent extremism and their involvement is critical in ensuring that impact of such efforts are sustainable.

The Peace Security and Stability (PSS) project aimed at restructuring and strengthening peace structures to bring on board women into peace structures to increase their involvement in peace building by sensitizing communities on the role of women in peace building and therefore the need to bring women on board. Peace committees were sensitized on the Kilifi county CVE action, their role as peace committee, the reviewed standard guidelines for peace structures in Kenya and the United Nation Council resolution 1325 on the role of women in peace building.

As a result women form part of local peace structures and taking lead in mitigating community conflicts ranging from gender based violence to natural resource based conflicts within their localities. Women have been able to climb up the ladders to occupy leadership positions in the peace committees. “It is a great idea to bring women and youth on board to be part of peace building and conflict mitigation agents. The sub-county administration shall work to support women to be able to report cases of conflict and violent extremism from where they operate” by Madam Stellamarie Wanja, ACC 1 Kilifi South

PEACE COMMITTEES PROMOTING DIALOGUE AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO VIOLENCE

Kauma is one of the new sub county in Kilifi County which has experience a lot conflict especially perpetrated by the MRC and the conflict over the Ngombeni– Vyambani boundary that lies between the Chonyi and Kauma sub-counties has been going on for almost 30 years in which it was resolved through reconciliation and agreements. The sub-county has experienced resource based conflict in which the mining companies have contributed to community suffering as a result of the iron mining in the area resulting to overwhelming dust causing respiratory diseases and other ailments for the communities around. The Kauma area has 12 operating mines. The mining almost led to the destruction of the kaya forest in Kauma before the county government intervened. Recently, riots were experience as angry villagers and youths blocked the roads preventing Lorries from the mines to access the main road (Kaloleni –Kilifi road). The community had lost trust due to lack of support from both the county and national government.

Through Kenya Community Support Centre (KECOSCE) in partnership with the DANIDA (Embassy of Denmark) aing violent Extremism in Kilifi County. With a Goal to contribute the reduction of cyclical natural resource, political conflicts and violent extremism in Kilifi county. KECOSCE Strengthened and facilitated the formation of the Kauma sub-county peace committee which was realigned to the county and national peacebuilding policies as well as be support to comply with the UNSCR 1325 and 2250 to increase roles of women and youth in their leadership and enhance their ability to predict, mitigate and resolve political, resource based and other types of conflicts in their localities before they escalate into violent conflicts.

It is with this regard that peace committees were able to intervene as they stopped the riots. The peace committees together with the mining companies, county government and village elders were able to sit down and agreed to water the roads on a daily basis as they make arrangements to tarmac the dusty roads leading to the mines.

Quote: “By coming together as one committee within the sub county and being able to identify and mitigate the conflict which was about to escalate to violence, is a mile stone in which we are part of resolving local conflict in our society.” Says Mr. John Pondera Munga who is the peace committee chairperson.