Kenya's evolving approach to peace and security increasingly highlights soft strategies prioritizing dialogue, community-driven solutions, and preventative measures over the more traditional reliance on force.

MIDRIFT HURINET, which includes policymakers, researchers, and individuals interested in peace and security issues, plays a crucial role in understanding and supporting these strategies.

One such example is seen in the study titled "Beyond Hard Tactics: Investigating the Use of Soft Approaches in Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism in the Informal Settlements of Kibera." This research explores the powerful impact of local initiatives in high-risk areas, such as Kibera, where community leaders, youth groups, and grassroots organizations play a pivotal role in fostering resilience against violent extremism.

This soft approach builds trust by engaging the youth through educational programs, offering vocational training, and facilitating opendialogues.

It nurtures hope in places often seen as breeding grounds for conflict.

The study emphasizes the importance of empowerment and inclusive governance, suggesting that peace begins with fostering social cohesion at the grassroots level.

Similarly, "Shifting Priorities: Kenya's Changing Approach to Peacebuilding and Conflict Management" underscores the country's shift toward diplomacy and multilateral engagement on the international stage.

The report reveals how Kenya uses its diplomatic channels and soft-power resources to lead peacekeeping missions across Africa, focusing on preventative diplomacy and mediation rather than military intervention.

This approach stabilizes volatile regions and strengthens Kenya's role as a regional peace broker. It highlights the country's growing influence in the East African Community (EAC) and the African Union (AU), where peaceful resolutions and dialogue-driven solutions are now prioritized.

Another report, "USAID Kenya and East Africa Peace III Progress Report," focuses on peacebuilding initiatives.

The report reflects Kenya's efforts to resolve disputes between neighboring communities, such as those along the Kenya-Somalia border, by promoting intergovernmental dialogue and community-based conflict resolution. The emphasis is on collaboration and collective action, bringing together local leaders, security agencies, and humanitarian organizations to address underlying issues of resource sharing, security, and mutual development.

This emphasis on diplomacy and collaborative peace efforts further highlights Kenya's shift towards a more comprehensive, inclusive approach to security.

These studies demonstrate that Kenya increasingly recognizes the importance of psychosocial support, community-led initiatives, and regional cooperation as critical elements of sustainable peace. Rather than relying solely on military interventions, the country is weaving a fabric of security that integrates the voices of its people, prioritizes their needs, and encourages long-term reconciliation.

The essence of a soft approach to peace and security in Kenya lies in its emphasis on dialogue, inclusivity, and empowerment rather than force and aggression. As the country navigates complex socio-political challenges, the recognition that long-lasting peace is cultivated from the ground up has become increasingly evident.

This approach focuses on community-driven solutions where local leaders, youth groups, and civil society organizations collaborate to identify and address the root causes of conflict. Rather than resorting to militarized solutions, a soft approach nurtures resilience and trust, encouraging dialogue over division and cooperation over confrontation.

One of the most striking examples is Kenya's emphasis on preventive diplomacy, particularly in conflict-prone areas like the informal urban settlements.

Community-based initiatives, such as peace education, vocational training programs, and open community forums, serve as critical tools in preventing violence and extremism.

These initiatives, especially those involving youth, allow marginalized groups to express their concerns and actively participate in peacebuilding processes.

Kenya's approach promotes ownership and shared responsibility for peace by fostering education and social cohesion, enabling individuals and communities to shape their futures actively.

Moreover, the essence of this soft approach extends to Kenya's regional peacekeeping efforts. Kenya has earned a reputation as a peace broker within the East African Community (EAC) and the African Union (AU) by prioritizing diplomacy and multilateral cooperation.

This diplomatic engagement transcends military intervention, offering solutions that prioritize long-term stability and reconciliation. Through regional partnerships and dialogue, Kenya helps broker peace deals that address the underlying causes of conflicts—resource disputes, political instability, or ethnic tensions—ultimately building sustainable peace in the region.

In sum, Kenya's soft approach to peace and security involves reducing violence and creating an environment of trust, unity, and social harmony where communities collaborate to secure their future.

This approach emphasizes the belief that peace is not merely the absence of conflict but the presence of justice, understanding, and collective healing—qualities that lay the foundation for a truly secure society.

Emerging trends in Kenya's soft approach to peace and security underscore a profound shift in how the nation addresses conflict and fosters long-term stability. One of the key trends is the integration of mental health and psychosocial support into peacebuilding efforts. Communities that have experienced violence, especially in areas like the coastal region and northern Kenya, are benefiting from initiatives that provide not only physical security but also emotional healing.

Programs focusing on trauma recovery, counseling, and conflict resolution training are becoming integral to peace processes. This trend recognizes that peace cannot simply be imposed through force; it must be nurtured through the affected individual's mental well-being and social cohesion.

Another emerging trend is the rise of community-led peacebuilding initiatives. Rather than relying solely on government or external interventions, local communities, particularly youth and women, are taking on leadership roles in resolving conflicts.

These grassroots initiatives involve dialogue circles, peace committees, and mediation efforts that allow for the resolution of disputes before they escalate into violence.

This bottom-up approach is gaining momentum because it empowers communities to identify their solutions and fosters a sense of ownership and accountability in peacebuilding.

Technological innovations are also significantly shaping this soft approach. Mobile apps and online platforms raise awareness, disseminate peace messages, and coordinate responses to potential conflicts.

Technology allows for the rapid exchange of information and, in some cases, real-time conflict monitoring, enabling preemptive interventions that help prevent violence before it starts. Additionally, social media is being used for advocacy, bringing together diverse voices for greater inclusivity in peacebuilding discussions.

Kenya must prioritize increased investment in mental health services and trauma-informed care to manage these emerging trends effectively.

This would involve strengthening community-based healing programs and integrating mental health professionals into peacebuilding initiatives. Creating dedicated spaces for survivors to process their trauma while simultaneously promoting emotional resilience will contribute to a more holistic approach to peace and security.

Further, as local communities continue to lead peace efforts, empowering youth and women should be a cornerstone of future strategies. Tailored capacity-building programs in leadership, conflict management, and mediation will equip these groups with the skills to facilitate sustainable peace at the grassroots level.

The increasing use of technology for peacebuilding offers a powerful tool for proactive conflict resolution.

The government and peace organizations should support the development of digital platforms that can serve as hubs for dialogue, conflict monitoring, and resource sharing. These platforms can also promote inclusivity by amplifying marginalized voices in peace processes.

In conclusion, as Kenya moves forward, its focus on a soft approach to peace and security must evolve to meet the changing conflict landscape. By reinforcing community engagement, mental health support, and technological integration, the country can manage current peace and security challenges and build a resilient foundation for a peaceful future.

 By

Jacob Karani