Kibera Stakeholders Peace Forum Report Theme: Enhancing Livelihoods and Sustaining a Peaceful Environment.
Date: 29th June 2016. Venue: AIC Church Hall Kibera.
Report Compiled by: Ben Ooko Jared Ontita
Introduction Kibera slum is Kenya’s largest informal settlement. It’s a home to all the tribes in Kenya that’s why many refer to it as the “Heart on Kenya”. This statement is a mirror of what’s happening in Kenya. A recent World Bank survey in Kenya indicated that there has been an increase in Kenyans living in cities and urban centers and towns. The report further reported that of all the people living in the above names areas, 56% of them live in informal settlements like Kibera. The Population of Kibera is a true population of what makes up the national population. 40% of the national population is made up of the Youths thus a reflection of the majority in Kibera slum. With the unemployment level in the country at 40% the Kibera youths are largely unemployed or underemployed. Kibera Slum has been an epicenter of electoral conflict and violence, almost every electoral cycle the slum faces violence which leads to massive destruction of property, looting, displacement and forceful eviction of some ethnic communities from their homes. In many cases, minority rival communities are forced to relocate to other estates where their community members constitute a dominant group. The above has been a feature which is not new to many. Kibera is seen as a ticking Bomb, the mistrust is manifest. Just recently the demonstrations called upon by the opposition coalition to unseat the current electoral body personnel disintegrated to violence. Nature of the Meeting Amani Kibera (AK) organized a forum for the people of Kibera to act as an open space to air their views and come up with ways of handling cases of violence and conflicts that have been affecting the people of Kibera. Amani Kibera mobilized other stakeholders1 operating in Kibera, with an intention of making the event people centered giving the masses a platform to share what the cause of the violence and conflict is and also give solutions. This approach was considered as the best way of involving the people of Kibera in finding solutions themselves. The organizers also invited different organizations and state agencies to come and hear the views of the people of Kibera. These represented include; 1. The Business community: Banks, Markets, Matatu Associations and neighborhood business committees. 2. The Political community: Elected leaders, political aspirants, opinion leaders and pressure groups. 3. The Religious community: Muslim and Christian representatives. 4. The Education community: Private and public school heads and teachers. 5. The Government local administration and security stakeholders: Deputy Country Commissioner and the Kenya police representatives. 1
Umande Trust, Octopizzo Foundation , Human Needs Project, Polycom Project, Young Voters Peace Network , Change Mtaani, Map Kibera, Carolina Kibera ,SHOFCO
6. Independent Commissions: National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) 7. NGOs and other Community based organizations. Objectives of the Meeting Kibera has witnessed frequent demonstrations calling for the exit of the current Independent Elections and Boundaries Commission (IEBC). This weekly organized “peaceful” demonstrations have ended up being violent leading to loss of life and destruction of properties within Kibera and outside. Even with the appreciated rights of people to peacefully picket, there seemed to be a deliberate encroachment of these rights by both the state and the opposing sides. This happenings can be traced to many underlying issues which the people of Kibera have not been openly talking about and agreeing on ways of tackle them. The slogan of “The Kibera we want” was resonating well among the many participants present. They agrred that they have all contributed to the current kibera and it’s their duty to also contribute to the Kibera they want. The following where the objectives of the forum. I. II.
To have a Peaceful Kibera where every individuals can live peacefully. To actively participation in all matters of Kibera a better home for all.
The moderators gave participants time one after the other to give the causes of the instability that Kibera has been experiencing and the following were their suggestion;
I.
II.
III. IV.
Tribalism was mentioned frequently by multiple participants as a reason for the conflicts that are experienced in Kibera. One participant went ahead and clarified that there is no problem being from a different ethnic group. He stated that negative ethnicity is was causes conflict but not ethnicity by itself. The Mishandling of the residents of Kibera also came out strongly. The participants blamed the security apparatus (Police) of in discriminatively mishandling residents rather than taking an approach which protects and respects innocent individuals who live in kibera from being harassed and mishandled. The umbrella condemnation of all kibera residents as violent was wrong approach by the security agents. Bad leadership, was also suggested to be a cause of the conflict. Some members suggested that the leaders who mobilize and call on their members to start confrontations has been on the high. Members also said that Hearsay and rumours have also been used to start conflict. A case in point was people giving wrong information which might lead to others reacting on it.
V. VI.
Social media was also stated to be a cause of both starting and fueling conflict. Members realized the influence of Media eg Facebook and Twitter. Hate speech and incitements was also identified as a cause of conflict and violence in Kibera where some leaders insulting a section of group or ethnic.
Resolutions Asked to suggest ways of tackling this causes of conflict and unrest in kibera the members suggested the following measures. I. II. III. IV. V. VI. VII. VIII. IX. X. XI.
Educating the young children and youths about non-violence and avoiding violence as a mean of finding solutions in society. Intermarriage between the different tribes was suggested as a way assist in tackling tribalism and marginalization of the other people. The members agreed to continue with consultative meeting with all stakeholders will enhance solving the issues which are affecting the community. Members suggested the use of Sporting activities and art specifically the women of Kibera. To also hold Peace tournaments as a powerful tool of solving some of the social cultural conflicts in Kibera. Integrity, Passion and Character are lacking in the community as tools of fighting issues affecting us and changing the way we approach challenges. Members agreed to choose leaders based on the above values. The subject of Equal distribution of resources in the country and county came up since most of the conflicts in Kenya are resource based. They called on the Religious leaders to avoid being partisan and work towards serving all residents of kibera irrespective of background and affiliations to different political groups. A member suggested the engage the real actors of violence. He stated that moving the forums from the boardroom to the fields where most actors feel comfortable to engage will be the best strategy. A memorandum of peacebuilding/ Strategy and standing for peace for the leaders who are vying for elective posts within Kibra consistency was also suggested. Members where cautioned on the use of social media diligently and avoid giving inaccurate messages and spreading rumours. A member suggested the use the children to preach peace and engage the children fully in the process of peace building. In schools, Churches and at homesteads.
Conclusion With the above suggestion given the member present agreed to meet frequently to follow up with the suggestions they had shared, with an aim of making them actionable and beneficial to the people of Kibera. The meeting was called to an end by a word of prayer by respective members of the religions which were presented at the meeting.