Kenyan Policy Dialogue

The disturbances in Kenya that followed the December 2007 elections showed the danger of complacency about stability and security in an apparently peaceful country.  Moreover, the effectiveness of development assistance, both to Kenya itself and to other countries for which Kenya represents a mounting base, is highly dependent on the stability of Kenyan society. 

Concordis International and the Sychar Centre of Nairobi plan to facilitate a series of six or more inclusive, informal low-profile consultations in partnership together, aiming to promote reconciliation between communities and reduce the threat of renewed violent conflict in Kenya, by enabling influential women and men from different ethnic, religious and political groups to develop equitable policy options on divisive issues together. The initial focus is on land issues.  Pilot activities have already commenced with very limited resources.

The programme builds on the networks and research capability of the Sychar Centre, on the peacebuilding experience of Concordis International and on best practice in reconciliation and conflict mitigation. The informal, low profile consultations are carefully constructed on a solid foundation of in-depth research into structural causes of conflict and the economic and social factors necessary to sustainable peace. Participants, who are also be involved in the further design of the process, comprise an inclusive group of key “second-level” women and men, well connected to their respective leadership and enjoying respect in their constituencies.  Between consultations, relationships with stakeholders are built up bi-laterally.