Background/Context
The Kenyan political landscape is characterized by increased tension, violence, and intimidation. Election-related violence has been experienced since 1968 with the most notable one being the bloody 2007-2008 election that left an estimated 1,500 dead, over 3,000 women sexually assaulted, and more than 300,000 internally displaced. One of the reasons for election-related conflict is prolonged mistrust and misunderstanding largely brought about by political and ethnic differences, blinded political loyalty, and a high unemployment rate more so among the youth. More often than not young people are manipulated and used as agents of chaos, violence, and crime perpetrators during the season. Politicians exploit high youth unemployment, with some paying youth groups to cause violence, mayhem, and intimidate opponents.
Ahead of the country’s August 2022 elections, Kenya’s National Cohesion and Integration Commission listed 23 counties that are considered potential violence hot spots. Some of the areas mentioned as a hot spot and prone to election violence are Mathare, mlango kubwa, Korogocho, Kibera, Kariobangi, and kondele in Kisumu High political intolerance and unrest are already being witnessed among some members of the community which goes to show that there is need to strengthen the capacity of non-violent election process and Political Torrance.
With political intolerance and insecurity on the rise especially in informal settlement, we are once again faced with the prospect of election violence in the run-up-to, during and after elections hence, measures need to be taken to mitigate a repeat of election violence.
The Youth Changing the Tectonic Forces
Muungano youth have sought assistance from the Kenyan Federation of Slum Dwellers, SDI-Kenya, to help mitigate violence during and after the 2022 elections, which coincides with International Youth Day. The youth have emphasized their desire for progressive development and a peaceful election season, and plan to engage aspiring political candidates through dialogue to gain insight into their plans for the future government. They recognize that, as a marginalized majority, they must ensure that their needs are prioritized, including access to proper sanitation, water, improved livelihoods, and especially land tenure, all of which are critical issues in informal settlements.
Muungano youth have played a crucial role in advocating for the reduction of political and economic marginalization of young people in their country. They have shared their perspectives with different partners including, the University of Manchester’s School of Environment, Education and Development and One World Together, an organization dedicated to transforming how donors fund initiatives and projects. Through our combined efforts, we were able to support this run-up to election activities.
The development of peace campaigns and a youth agenda was informed by the Muungano youth's recently established theory of transformation, which identifies five key outcome areas.
Youth Dissolution in voter registration
The Ballot is the surest takeover and the vote is the tool for that takeover.
The electoral body aimed to register 6 million young people who had reached the legal age of 18 to vote, but only 2 million actually registered, bringing the total number of voters to 22,120,458. According to IEBC chairman Wafula Chebukati, the number of youth registered to vote in 2022 is 39.84 percent, which is a decline of 5.27 percent compared to 2017. This decrease has been attributed to economic hardship, widespread corruption, and the exclusion of young people from the decision-making process. As a result, it is expected that few young people will participate in the elections. However, during the election run-up activities, young people plan to use this opportunity not only to promote peace but also to share their youth agenda with the aspiring candidates and mobilize their peers who have registered to vote to turn out and fulfill their civic duty by casting their vote as it is the only way to ensure proper governance.
I am a peace ambassador (piece4peace campaign)
When the youth reached out to Muungano through their respective settlement youth leaders, Muungano organized an inception meeting with the youth to collaborate on designing an implementation strategy that would have a greater impact, strongly pursue the youth agenda, and also utilize the opportunity to attract more youth to the federation.
The youths engaged in a discussion about the current situations in their settlements, and we learned of instances that occurred during the campaign season, such as clashes among different political factions, and even fatalities. In order to prevent such occurrences, the youths devised several initiatives and campaigns to urge their fellow youth to uphold peace during this electioneering period. These initiatives include:
Running an Opinion Poll
As a youth-focused agenda, young people from Kiambiu, Mathare, Mukuru, Kibera, and Huruma developed a brief opinion poll to share with their peers within their communities. The aim is to gauge their top priority areas for political candidates vying for different elective positions, including Member of the County Assembly, Member of the National Assembly, and Governor. The poll ran for six days and received responses from 80 young people. After analyzing the findings with the support of SDI-Kenya staff, nine priority areas emerged as the most pressing concerns. see the attached report for further details.
Community-led initiatives and Campaigns
Street Theater
youth from Kiambiu scripted a play to showcase the experiences that different areas have faced due to pre- and post-election violence. The play was held in open spaces and along roadsides within the settlement, bringing together members of the community. This was an excellent idea as it provided a visual source of information to the community. The youth also took advantage of the theater by having the audience commit to maintaining peace. They signed a peace charter in public, declaring that they would be peace ambassadors.
Wall Murals
Over the years, Kibera informal settlements have been known for political violence, mostly instigated by the youth. However, Muungano youth from Kibera decided to change this negative narrative by using visual messages to create awareness of the need for a peaceful electioneering period. To mobilize the community, they conducted a peace walk, and afterward, they invited the masses to participate in drawing a peace mural on a busy street within the settlement.
During the event, the youth also emphasized the importance of exercising their democratic duty by voting for candidates who prioritize youth issues. They further invited members of the community and youth groups to a dialogue, where they engaged aspiring National Assembly candidates on the priorities of the youth in the community. By doing so, they hoped to create a platform for the youth's voices to be heard and their needs addressed by those in leadership positions.
Also, the social justice center in Mukuru Kwa Njenga provided an opportunity for young people within the settlement to draw a wall mural that raises awareness about the importance of maintaining peace. Following this, a constructive dialogue was held between the youth, local administration, police, chiefs, and youth leaders. During the session, community members were urged to prioritize peace over violence.
Dialogues and Peace Barazas
The youth from Kibera and Huruma organized peace dialogues with their Members of Parliament (MPs) and Members of the County Assembly (MCAs). During the meeting, they urged the politicians to take the lead in advocating for peace during the pre and post-election period, as they sought various seats. They also used the platform to brainstorm ways to ensure a peaceful electoral process. As a symbolic gesture, the youth pledged their commitment to being champions of peace.
To illustrate their point, the youth showcased a pyramid of power and contrasted it with their preferred approach, which was a circle that was all-inclusive. They also presented their priorities to the candidates, who had a chance to share their manifestos and explain how they aligned with the youth's set agenda.
Cycling for Peace
The Cycle/Walk for Peace brought together various youth groups from the Viwandani ward in Mukuru. The youth mobilized their peers, community members, and Members of the County Assembly (MCA) candidates to participate in the event. The MCA candidates were requested to pledge to promote peaceful elections and involve the youth in decision-making processes while implementing the youth-led agenda.
Although eight candidates were invited, only two aspirants honored the invitation and signed the pledge for the youth agenda and the peace charter. The event was organized and led by Viwandani youth, and around 200 youths participated in the cycle/walk. The walk started at the Mareba stage and covered all 13 villages in the Viwandani ward. Community leaders(Chairpersons) from each village called on the community to observe peace during and after the elections.
As the youth cycled and walked through the villages in the settlements, they stopped at different bases and allowed a youth or a village elder to give a peaceful message. The aim was to promote peace and encourage the community to shun violence during the elections.
The whole community took part in the walk as they were involved in signing the peace charter publicly on a banner. When the youth were giving the peaceful message, the members of community would take part in signing the charters and would therefore pledge to observe peace.
The whole process involved and engaged the local administration from the beginning. Before implementation, the youth and the senior federation informed the Assistant County Commissioner and the OCS about the cycle/walk and further invited them. They were not able to join the walk/cycling but the youth made sure to pass by the police station where the inspector pledged to ensure there is peace and that the police will not participate in human rights violations.
Community Peace walks
Korogocho, Kiamaiko, Mukuru kwa Reuben, and Mathare youth and residents peacefully marched within their communities, chanting revolutionary slogans, engaging community members, signing a peace charter, and displaying placards with messages of peace. The purpose of the walk was to sensitize community members on the importance of embracing and maintaining peace during and after the election period, engaging local candidates by signing a Peace Charter, fostering peaceful co-existence among community members, condemning any triggers to violence and shaming those with intentions to disrupt peace through the use of chants. The community members were also educated on how to report cases related to violence during the election season. Additionally, the youth leveraged the walk by conducting civic education on voting and encouraged young people to turn out in large numbers and vote wisely for leaders who prioritize their issues.
On Friday, the 22nd of April 2022, a peace walk was held in Korogocho and Kariobangi, bringing together peace actors, security agents, and members of the community to advocate for non-violent elections in their respective areas. The walk started from Kariobangi and proceeded all the way to the Korogocho Police Station. The event was flagged off at the Kariobangi landmark area by Assistant County Commissioner, Madam Ruth.
The peace walk had four stops at key areas in the two communities, two of which featured performances by the Tarumbeta Africa Dancers, who used their art to promote the message of peace. The other two stops, including the final destination at the Korogocho Police Station, saw speakers from various participating organizations and community leaders addressing the public. They all emphasized the importance of peaceful elections and urged the members of the community to uphold non-violence during the upcoming elections.
Townhall Peace concert and Vigil
youth from Kibera organized two town hall peace campaigns in two hotspots, the Kamukunji area, and 42 Terminus. The activity brought together 220 youths from different youth groups, engaged by Muungano wa Wanavijiji, SDI-Kenya, in the Safe and Inclusive Cities project and Voices for Just Climate Change (VCA). The youth organized various activities to mobilize the community to the town hall meeting, which included cultural dances and mural drawing.
In the Kamukunji area of Kibera, the youth utilized cultural dances and engaged in beautification activities using waste materials and creating graffiti/murals. They collaborated with the Foundation of Hope group and individuals known in Kibera for their traditional dances. The youth also held a vigil in collaboration with the Kamukunji management, where they lit candles illustrated in the form of a map of Kenya, calling on everyone not only in Nairobi but the entire country to uphold peace. They sang the Kenyan national anthem and later prayed in Islam and Christianity for a peaceful election.
Post-Elections Campaign
Situation Monitoring
After successfully implementing various community peace initiatives, the youth committed to becoming peace ambassadors and also monitoring the peace situation in their communities. We provided them with a list of hotline numbers from different institutions and agencies for reporting and referral purposes in case of any issues within their settlements. Additionally, we enhanced our monitoring efforts by regularly reporting on the situation in various settlements on our websites and social media platforms. This was facilitated by utilizing the WhatsApp groups that we have for Muungano youth. The youth were able to share pictures and captions of events happening in their communities, and we compiled these reports in the links below; https://www.muungano.net/browseblogs/2022/8/12/1182022-post-election-situation-monitoring-for-kenyan-informal-settlements-55kl5-yjaj5; https://www.muungano.net/browseblogs/2022/8/13/12th-august-2022-post-election-situation-monitoring; https://www.muungano.net/browseblogs/2022/8/15/3bk7btx19xpsu6tf5m1yz9wyqrq8ot; https://www.muungano.net/browseblogs/2022/8/16/vj5mtteso2fmk8bzz82gxly48t7zpc and, https://www.muungano.net/browseblogs/2022/8/17/27zo7q4e1c8f8vfnc7dmhpixwe365f
The Milestone/Our Impact
Partnerships
Muungano wa Wanavijiji, SDI-Kenya has been actively increasing its partnerships with both state and non-state actors to ensure that youth have access to opportunities that benefit them. This is a key sustainability strategy to continue the important work that the federation does. To avoid duplication of efforts in promoting peace campaigns within settlements, the youth invited different partners and organizations to support their activities, making them more robust and impactful.
For instance, in Kiamaiko, the youth worked together with the Kiamaiko Youth Congress to implement a peace walk, and as a result of their partnership, they were able to organize a peace tournament that brought together close to 300 young men and women and several candidates vying for the seat of Member of County Assembly. While, in Mukuru Kwa Reuben, Mukuru Kwa Njenga, and Korogocho, the youth partnered with various grassroot organizations to ensure that their activities were impactful and carried the message of peaceful electoral processes.
The youth also had the opportunity to act as election agents and observers during the elections, thanks to their linkages with other organizations within their settlements. Across the six settlements, a total of 909 young men and women participated in the activities, and both the youth and candidates from various political parties such as UDA, Azimio, and independent, signed the peace charter. The youth's ability to mobilize different political classes was a significant impact on them.
Reflections/Punchlines
The decision by Muungano youth to seek assistance from Muungano, SDI-Kenya in mitigating violence during and after the 2022 elections is an initiative I highly commend as It underscores their unwavering commitment to advancing progressive development on the countless informality issues that define their informal settlements, despite the youth being the marginalized majority.
By engaging with aspiring political candidates through dialogue, community-designed initiatives, and advocating for their needs, is evidence that the young people are taking proactive measures to ensure that their voices are heard and their interests are prioritized. The peace campaigns and youth-focused agenda were grounded in a well- youth developed theory of transformation, which attests to their ability to articulate a clear vision for a better future and work collaboratively with different partners, including state actors.
The impact of the peace campaign was significant in many ways; First, it helped champion the reduction of the political and economic marginalization that the young people in Kenya face by ensuring that their needs and interests were taken into account by the political class and subsequently, the government. Secondly, it helped promote peaceful and inclusive elections in 2022, which is critical for the stability and development of the country. Finally, it demonstrated the power of youth-led initiatives in bringing about positive change in the communities and underscores the ability of young people to lead different development agendas. – Joseph Muturi – President of the Slum Dwellers International (SDI)
It is encouraging to see young people actively engaging in the political process and advocating for their concerns using youth-led initiatives such as holding dialogues, arts such as street theater and drawing murals, and cycling. However, it is also clear that there are significant challenges that need to be addressed, such as the high unemployment rate among the youth, the manipulation of young people by politicians to perpetrate violence during election seasons yet they are politically marginalized and lack access to basic services in the informal settlements. These issues highlight the need for a more comprehensive approach to promoting youth participation in the political process and addressing the underlying social and economic factors that young people face.
Overall, the efforts of the youth in Kenya to promote peaceful elections and advocate for their priorities should be commended, and further support should be provided to ensure that their voices are heard and their concerns are addressed. The role of organizations such as SDI-Kenya in supporting youth-led initiatives is crucial in ensuring that young people have a meaningful say in shaping the future of their country. - Joseph Kimani -Executive Director Slum Dwellers International-Kenya
One World Together is a pioneering movement that seeks to transform funding for organizations and movements around the world that work hand-in-hand with the individuals and groups that they represent. We are delighted to partner with Muungano wa Wanavijiji’s youth federation and to learn from them as they continue to develop and grow opportunities for their movement and for the young men and women living across Kenya’s cities. The Youth Federation’s strategies and activities for ensuring a peaceful election is just one excellent example that demonstrates their ability to design effective solutions and to build consensus and buy-in across diverse backgrounds, political affiliations, and stakeholder groups. We are excited to learn from their insights as they continue working diligently towards achieving their vision of future Transformation and appreciate the Know Your City TV team’s skills and expertise in enabling the world’s deeper understanding of the centrality of young people in securing peace, wellbeing, and opportunity around the world. It is an honor and a privilege to partner with them for these reasons. Reflections from Dr. Nicolla Banks - One World Together
Next Steps
After engaging with various aspirants and securing their signatures on the peace charter and youth agenda, the youth will hold meetings with elected and appointed officials to discuss securing their representation in decision-making processes at both the local and national levels. They will then collaborate on a work plan to prioritize and implement youth initiatives and conduct social audits every three months to ensure accountability. In cases where elected officials fail to perform their duties, the youth will take the necessary constitutional steps to hold them accountable. The youth in Kiamaiko have already initiated meetings with their elected officials following the recent elections to develop strategies for youth involvement in the new administration. The youth of Nairobi also convened a meeting with the County Chief Officer at the One-Stop Centre to present their "Tree of Transformation," which had been drawn at their offices, along with their set of priorities.
Youth Power!!!
Credits:
Kyctv Online Pictures