Role of Peace Committees in Peace Building and Conflict Management: A Case of Trans mara Sub-County

Abstract

Peace Committees programme in Kenya was rolled out in all districts in 2009 following the 2007/2008 post-election violence to aid in peace-building and conflict management. The programme has not made major breakthroughs in peace sustenance, which calls for its evaluation. This study determined the effectiveness of peace committees in peace building and conflict management, involvement of women and youth in peace building initiatives, and local measures in place to prevent recurrence of ethnic conflict. Systematic sampling was used to select households in each division from where respondents were derived. A total of 120 respondents were sampled for the study. The researchers purposively sampled DCs, DOs, OCSs and OCPDs. Simple random sampling was used to get 10 representatives from 5 organizations (Civil Society and Faith-based Organizations) working for peace in the area. Majority of the people involved in ethnic conflict were aged between 18 and 30 years. The main cause of conflict was ethnic/clan animosity (61.1%). Peace campaigns yield much in peace building. Thus peace resolution initiatives such as meeting people in churches, schools and campaigns should be adopted. Provincial administrators were the first to respond during times of conflict because they lived among the community and had the logistical capacity to reach scenes of crimes to assist affected individuals. Peace affects all spheres of life including achievement in education at all levels.