What we need is peace: Kenya's elections 2013

The 2007-08 election violence in Kenya left 1,300 people dead and over 600,000 displaced after disputed national polls. There was real concern that violence, linked to continued ethnic tensions, would be repeated in the March 2013 election. In many areas the underlying causes of conflict that fuelled previous violence had not been resolved. The effectiveness of the police and security agencies to provide adequate security during the elections was in doubt, the new electoral body was untested, and communities were wary, given the violence associated with previous elections. Tensions were already building in some areas.

The project aimed to help ensure peaceful elections by bringing communities, peace, security and election management actors together in 'hotspot' areas likely to experience violence. These 'peace task forces' worked to build relationships, strengthen preparedness and coordination, and react rapidly to signs of increased tensions, to support peaceful, free and fair national polls.

This video won the Bond International Development Awards 2014 for the large organisation category.

Find out more about the project at our multimedia galleries.

“Community members, civil society, and police actually worked together to respond to issues. They shared information openly.”

Bonita Ayuko