Peace Building Initiative

DCM initiated a Peace Building Initiative targeting the Luos and Kisiis who are ever at wars with each other at the Kisii Luo Borders and in Kisumu Town (Nyamasaria). USAID/OTI project supported the initiative which was implemented in three milestones along the borders and in Kisumu Town (Nyamasaria and Nyalenda).
Chabera peace initiative

Chabera peace initiative Photo By Rev. David Chuchu

During the just concluded Peace Building Initiative supported by USAID/OTI Project, DCM organized seven sensitization meetings. Nine Peace dialogue committees were also formed and sensitized in the three sites-Nyalenda Luo peace committee, Nyalenda Joint Peace committee and Nyamasaria Kisii and Chabera/Owalo Peace Committees. The total number of the community peace committees was 10 comprising of the Luo/Kisii only and the joint committees (Kisii and Luos together). The main emerging issues tackled during the intervention were related to land, voting patterns, social relationships and tribalism. A total of 24 leaders were elected in the integrated inter-tribal committees to help spearhead the continued peace dialogues among the communities targeted. Five cultural events were conducted at Nyamasaria, Nyalenda, Nyamusi, Owalo and Chabera to help people start talking about peace. During the entire intervention, a total of sixteen community mobilization meetings were organized. To motivate the participating groups in the peace dialogues, awards were given which included. In this process, over 10,000 community and key stakeholders were reached and sensitized on peace issues including the local politicians. The initiative was launched and attended by broad spectrum of stakeholders and communities including one MP and several government representatives.

Planned Activities 2009-2010

  1.  To empower 10 peace committees formed in Nyamasaria, Owalo and Nyalenda with conflict management skills by December 2009.
  2. To initiate 2 and strengthen the 1 already started joint micro business in Nyalenda, Nyamasaria and Owalo/Chabera by December 2009.
  3. To initiate three peer peace committees in schools in Nyamasaria, Nyalenda and Owalo/Chabera to help spread peace messages in the schools in the targeted communities by December 2009.
  4. Initiate 3 youth theatre groups as a form of youth empowerment program in Nyamasaria, Nyalenda and Owalo/Chabera by December 2009.
  5. To carry out six (6) Bi weekly meetings to cover the communities beyond the borders in the three communities
  6. To orientate the sixty (60) opinion leaders from the three communities on peace initiative by DCM.