Violence prevention requires a multisectoral approach because it is a complex and multifaceted issue driven by interconnected social, political, economic, cultural, and environmental factors. No single sector can address these root causes alone. This approach creates integrated responses that are more effective than one agency response.
Situational analysis, a formative research process, is an assessment of the current status and is fundamental to designing and updating national policies, strategies and plans (World Health Organization, 2018). A situational analysis was used to define the circumstances prevailing in the county including needs, opportunities, resources available, service provision, challenges, and barriers when seeking mental health services.
Let the Herders Lead :
Why North Rift’s Peace Must Be Built from Within For years, the story of Kerio Valley in Kenya’s North Rift Region has been told through the language of crisis banditry, cattle rustling, displacement, and military operations. From the counties of Baringo, to Elgeyo Marakwet and West Pokot, communities have endured cycles of revenge driven by competition over water, pasture, and livestock. Successive governments have responded with crackdowns and security deployments. Yet despite these efforts, insecurity still persists.
The best definition of a multisectoral approach, particularly in the context of public health and violence prevention, is a deliberate, integrated collaboration among diverse stakeholders from various sectors such as government agencies, civil society, the private sector, non-governmental organizations, and communities to jointly address complex, interrelated challenges by leveraging their unique knowledge, expertise, resources, and perspectives for shared goals and sustainable peace and security outcomes.
This practice brief looks at the historical context that necessitated this policy change, examines the implementation framework of the MSF model, presents key findings and best practices from its pilot phase, and conclude with evidence-based recommendations for its successful national scaling. This analysis therefore begins by examining the historical context of conflict that rendered previous security strategies obsolete and created the imperative for this fundamental policy shift.
Violence prevention requires a multisectoral approach because it is a complex and multifaceted issue driven by interconnected social, political, economic, cultural, and environmental factors. No single sector can address these root causes alone. This approach creates integrated responses that are
The brief demonstrates critical insights on the effectiveness of creating avenues for embracing an intersectoral approach, characterised by collective action for collective impact where different stakeholders, state and non-state actors, can work together to create safer communities. It also incorporates recommendations for scaling to currently implemented areas, Nakuru and Baringo, and replicating the lessons learned across the 47 counties and the African region.
