The Peace, Accountability, and Community Empowerment Project is a pioneering approach to peacebuilding, led by MIDRIFT HURINET, that actively engages youth and women in Nakuru as catalysts for change and advocates for peace, effective governance, and accountable leadership. A cohort of 80 youth champions from Nakuru Town East and Nakuru Town West has been recruited, serving as the project’s foundational implementation team. PACE initiative is designed to realize the vision of “An Empowered and Resilient Society that fosters Peace and Social Cohesion through Accountability and Transparency.” It is specifically operational in the localized contexts of Nakuru Town East and Nakuru Town West.
To achieve its objectives, the project employs a multifaceted strategy employing the following approaches.
Capacity building: Strengthening capacities of youth and communities to enhance their participation in Peace, security, and governance process.
The initiative aims to strengthen the capacities of youth to actively engage in peace, security, and governance processes. Within the governance framework, the program focuses on equipping young individuals with critical skills essential for effective participation in budget formulation, public engagement, access to information mechanisms, and petition writing. It also facilitates constructive dialogues and interactions with duty bearers. On the peace and security front, a similar methodology is employed to foster trust-building sessions between youth and law enforcement, addressing the existing trust deficit and enhancing early warning and response systems. Youth participants receive training on optimizing their involvement in grassroots peace structures and are introduced to strategies for promoting anonymous reporting of crime and violence in targeted areas, thereby improving police responsiveness and community safety.
Media and Arts
This methodology facilitates conflict transformation by leveraging artistic competencies such as radio dramas, peace-oriented messaging, street theater, and music, among other artistic modalities, to promote peaceful coexistence and nonviolent strategies within communities. The youth champions receive training in Participatory Education Theater, which integrates art into educational and entertaining frameworks, commonly referred to as Edutainment. This dual approach enhances engagement and fosters a deeper understanding of conflict resolution and peacebuilding among participants.
Mental Health and Psychosocial Support
This initiative employs a trust-building framework focusing on law enforcement personnel by enhancing awareness of mental health issues and effective coping strategies. The objective is to foster advocacy for help-seeking behaviors while also advocating for increased funding for mental health services. By bolstering the officers’ capacity and motivation to prioritize their mental well-being, it subsequently enhances their problem-solving capabilities, service delivery, and promotes non-violent intervention strategies.
Key Outcomes realized so far:
- Establishment of a Vibrant pool of youth peace champions and engagement platforms in Nakuru Town East and West.
- Significant Reduction in Crime Prevalence
- Access to NGAAF funds for youth groups and formation of youth groups to amplify youth voices e. g Voices of Mwariki Youth Group
- Election of youths into CPC and Nyumba Kumi and mainstreaming of youth issues in grassroot peace and security platforms.
- Establishment of mental wellness Safe spaces in Police Stations in Nakuru East and West.
