In Kenya, Saferworld supports communities to work together to prevent violence around elections and governance issues as well as conflicts stemming from the effects of climate change, and improve how security and justice services are provided and assessed. We also work with young people to build their skills in peacebuilding.
We are working with partners to increase the resilience of vulnerable households to climate change-related shocks in Kenya’s arid and semi-arid lands, through a partnership programme called IMARA. As part of this, Saferworld convened consultative forums to discuss practical ways of addressing intercommunal conflicts and achieving peace. We also supported communities in identifying people to participate in 45 ward community action groups in Pokot, Elgeyo Marakwet and Turkana counties, which identify community needs and engage with relevant authorities on behalf of the community to address them. We organised six advocacy forums where the group participants learnt about and discussed policy processes around natural resource management and peace and security. These policy dialogues have created much-needed momentum among the county governments to initiate processes towards managing climate-induced migration and displacement along the county borders, including support of large pasture farms across the borders of West Pokot and Elgeyo Marakwet to boost communities’ adaptive capacities.
