Kenya

Supporters of Raila Odinga, Kenya’s main opposition leader, clashed with supporters of Mwai Kibaki, the incumbent president, following the announcement that Kibaki had won the December 2007 presidential elections.  The violence resulted in more than 1,000 deaths, at the hands of security forces and violent ethnic clashes.  About 600,000 have been internally displaced  - about half of the displanced fled to camps, while the other half found lodging within families. A Panel of Eminent African Personalities, designated by the African Union mediated  between Odinga and Kibaki.  In February 2008, a negotiated settlement was reached on a National Dialogue and Reconciliation Process that resulted in four agreements that aimed to address the roots of the post-election violence; undertake constitutional reform, land reform, and electoral reform; and establish a truth and reconciliation commission. The successful implementation of these agreements and the understanding and resolution of the underlying tensions are keys to breaking the cycle of violence.

The eruption of violence spurred many nongovernmental organizations to action, in a bid to find a peaceful resolution to the conflict.  In an effort to coordinate the activities of civil society, five highly respected Kenyan civil society leaders formed the Concerned Citizens for Peace (CCP).   Meeting everyday from 8 am – 10 am at the Serena Hotel in Nairobi, the CCP helped to facilitate networking among the different organizations and promote dialogue between the opposing sides.  Although the violence has largely ended, the services of the CCP are still needed.   The tension that still exists between ethnic groups -- who must now find ways to reconcile -- and politicians are potential triggers of violence.

The goal of USIP’s engagement with Kenya is to promote dialogue and reconciliation in Kenya following the electoral violence. To this end, USIP awarded a grant to the Nairobi Peace Initiative – Africa, a partner to USIP on previous work, in its capacity as a core member of the CCP, to enable the CCP to remain at the Serena Hotel and continue to facilitate contacts and build networks between Kenyan NGOs. The Institute continues to work with organizations in Kenya to further key provisions of the National Accord.