Baringo Youth Demand Involvement in Peace Building

Youth in Baringo County have called on government and other stakeholders to involve them in peace-building initiatives. This comes in the aftermath of reported banditry attacks which led to loss of lives and displacement of people with women and children left to pay the price of the attacks when the security operation was put in place in the aftermath. 

Speaking during a forum on the use of traditional and new media (social media) techniques to promote peacebuilding in Baringo County held on 27th July 2022 in Kabarnet town, the youth noted that they don’t have safe space and platforms where they can freely speak on issues of insecurity and conflict affecting the county.

Led by Felix Chirchir, a member of the Baringo Peace Consortium, the youth expressed their disappointment for not being actively engaged in the decision-making process in matters of peace and security in the county. 

“Youth are mostly perpetrators of these attacks and involving them and giving them a platform to speak on some of the challenges we have as a county will help in addressing the challenges such as conflict,” said Chirchir.

Felix Kemboi, Youth Peace Ambassador for CSI- Kenya called for mapping for mapping of youth groups and community-based organizations working on peace and security and giving safe spaces where they can table their issues.

“As young people, we only want to be listened to and given an opportunity to table our ideas,” said Kemboi.

On her part, Winnie Tuitoek, Journalist at K24 noted that the security agencies have also neglected the youth when it comes to peacebuilding initiatives even in Baringo North and Baringo South where banditry attacks are rampant.

 Participants are usually leaders and security agencies and, in most scenarios, the youth are not given time or space to give their views.

Further, the youth called on the community and security agencies to cease from victimizing and arresting youth who surrender their guns as this will make them shun surrendering the guns.

 The youth also cited limited political goodwill by the government in promoting youth-led initiatives such as inter-communal peace tournaments, inter-cultural festivals, and art-based activism (artivism) that promote peacebuilding.

They called for the engagement of PWDs since some of them were disabled by conflict and they are usually worst affected.

Currently, CCGD is implementing the Women, Peace and Security Program (WS) which aims to end the double marginalization of women in peace and security processes in the counties of Mandera, Samburu, and Baringo counties. The involvement of the youth in peace-building processes and giving them a voice in peace processes is a key objective of the WPS program. 

By Carol Jebet and Maurice Goga

Structure of Kajiado GBURC located at Kajiado County Referral Hospital.

Gender-Based Violence Centers (GBVRCs) in Busia Kwale and Kajiado Counties Strengthens Services to SGBV Survivors

GBV disproportionately affects women and girls, and their vulnerability increases during times of displacement, crisis and pandemics as witnessed during the break out of COVID-19.

In response to the spike of SGBV witnessed during the breakout of the COVID-19 pandemic, Collaborative
Centre for Gender and Development (CCGD) through COVID-19 Recovery and Resilience Program supported by Mastercard Foundation. The program sought to strengthen the support and services to SGBV survivors by offering institutional support to the County Referral Hospitals, the HAK 1195 toll-free helpline, County Administration – Police Satiations and Safe Shelters in Busia, Kajiado
and Kwale counties.

One of the major outcomes of the two-year program was the establishment of Gender-Based Violence Recovery Centres (GBVRCs) at Busia County Referral Hospital, Kajiado County Referral Hospital and Msambweni Level V Hospital.

The Centres were established to strengthen support and services by ensuring that all SGBV survivors have adequate and timely access to quality services in the three counties.

The GBVRCs offer safe spaces where the survivors can get SGBV support services including medical attention, and psychosocial support, connecting them with referral pathways whenever they report their
cases. Further, some l survivors are provided with an in-kind grant which aids them in rebuilding their lives and following up with referral services.

The centres also act as SGBV data collection centers. According to CCGD Research and Data Analyst Program Assistant, Mr. Calvin Chepsiror a total of 321 SGBV cases were reported between January and December 2021 at the three GBVRCs.

He says 252 of the cases were reported in Busia County, 61 in Kwale County and 8 in Kajiado County.
He attributed the variation to different factors such as the Centres not being established at the same time.

“The variation witnessed especially in Kajiado County was because the Centre started operating in November, meaning we only recorded reports for two months,” he said.

According to the data 87.54% were female and 12.46% were male this he attributed to the vulnerability of women and girls and the fact that women often report their cases while the men usually shun away from reporting such cases.

Defilement cases were the highest with a record of 182, assault 100, rape 15, sodomy 14, emotional 4, perpetrator 4, and Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) 2. This points out children are more vulnerable to SGBV since they cannot defend themselves against the perpetrators or they can be cured easily by the perpetrators. Further, it was also evident that during school closure the cases of SGBV spiked as witnessed in the month of April and September where 15 and 67 cases were recorded respectively during school holidays.

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Youth Call for Decriminalization of Petty Offenses

The youth called for immediate decriminalization of petty offenses at this year’s EAC National Dialogue Forum. They said this would ensure that penal laws and enforcement of criminal laws follow human rights standards. During the forum, the youth presented issue papers on Youth Peace and Security; Petty Offenses; COVID-19 and Sexual Reproductive Health Rights of Girls and Young Women; Strengthening of National Youth Council and National Youth CSOs and Human Trafficking: The Socio-Economic Etiology of Human Trafficking.

They asked the EAC partner states to ensure the full domestication and implementation of the EAC Sexual Reproduction and Health Rights (SRHR) Bill, Development of a Youth Scorecard to Monitor and evaluate the framework on the EAC Youth Policy and adoption of the National Action Plan on UNSCR 2250 on Youth Peace and Security.

Anita Otieno of East African Child Rights Network (EACRN) making a presentation on Sexual Reproductive Health Rights during the National Dialogue Forum held on 23rd and 24th February, 2022 in Nairobi. [Getrude Angela, CCGD]
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JASIRI FUND REBUILDS THE LIVES OF WOMEN

By Maureen Wairimu

Ushanga Businesswomen in Mailua, a remote town in Kajiado South, Kajiado County were hit hard by the lockdown measures of COVID-19, that confined them to their villages. This contributed to a sharp increase in sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) against women and girls. 

The introduction of Jasiri Fund- a low-interest and unsecured loan for SGBV survivors came to the rescue. Women survivors of SGBV were able to access Jasiri loans through Kenya Women Finance Trust (KWFT) to rebuild their lives and businesses.

One of the beneficiaries of the Jasiri loan was Supukon Nkaanchu who received a loan of Ksh. 50,000 and used it to venture into the greengrocery business. Nkaanchu says that the business provides an income to sustain her household.

Supukon Nkaanchu beneficiary of Jasiri Fund in Mailua

She adds that the orders made for beads have become inconsistent as a result she needed to venture into an alternative business

 “In future, I want to build rental units with another loan from Jasiri Fund,” says Nkaachu

Right next to Supukon is Nkunyinyi Josiah. A 30-year-old businesswoman who owns a hotel christened ‘New Face Enterprises’ used Jasiri’s loan to open her hotel.

She says her business is doing well. A steady flow of mostly boda boda riders come in and out of her hotel for a quick bite, before returning to work. Besides owning the business, she is also a job creator whereby she has employed a young lady to help with cooking and waitress duties.

“My focus right now is to save and clear my current Jasiri loan as soon as possible, apply for a higher amount, and expand my hotel business to include a butchery as well.”

For Leah Meliyio, the loan came through at time she was still bound to care work duties as she was taking care of her weeks-old baby and therefore she could not engage in any vigorous activity that would take much of her time as well.

Rather than let the money be in her account, she decided to take a risk and use the money to buy goats and to open up a ‘Choma Zone’ (a hotel with a focus on selling roasted meat) and butchery/hotel that has become a favorite spot for many in the area. She also created job opportunities as she employed others to help in running the two businesses. “My goal for the near future is to expand the hotel part of my business to diversify my offerings and cater to an even larger number of customers.” Says Meliyio.

With support from Mastercard Foundation, through the Response, Recovery and Resilience Project in partnership with CREAW and GROOTS Kenya, CCGD has facilitated affordable financial services to women such as Supukon, Nkunyinyi, and Leah through Jasiri Fund. CCGD is currently implementing the program in Kwale, Kajiado and Busia Counties. As of April 2022, a total of 268 women and youth (young women) and PWDs with existing businesses had received loans worth Ksh. 15, 115, 875.

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Busia County Commits to Generation Equality Forum (GEF) Commitments on SGBV

By Sharon Ngaira

Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and other interested groups in Busia County have agreed to develop action points that will see the county’s Sexual Gender-Based Violence Policy linked to Generation Equality Forum (GEF) Commitments as part of the Busia County GEF blueprint. The CSOs will review the SGBV policy to link it to the GEF commitments. They will also develop Busia County Blueprint commitments on the implementation of GEF.

 CSO representatives were speaking during a two-day meeting held between 14th and 15th June 2022 that also focused on highlighting the critical challenges to preventing and responding to GBV and advocating for the realization of the ICPD+25 and SDGs. The CSOs also called for capacity building of the health care workers responding to SGBV especially those at the Gender-Based Violence Recovery Centre (GBVRC) in Busia County Referral Hospital. The GBVRC was established by the County Government with support from Collaborative Centre and Gender Development (CCGD) to provide clinical and psycho-social services to GBV survivors as well as boost the   SGBV referral chain by supporting the collection and preservation of forensic evidence for the prosecution of cases.

PS. State Department for East African Community, Dr. Kevit Desai (right) officially opens the Gender Based Violence Recovery Centre at Busia County Referral Hospital on 22nd January 2021 (File CCGD)
CCGD Busia County Admnistrator, Sharon Ngaira sensitizng girls at Alupe Primary School on menstrual hygiene and GBV. Photo -JJ

Busia CSOs create awareness on Menstrual Hygiene

By Sharon Ngaira

Busia County marked menstrual hygiene day on 28 May during which girls noted that lack of sanitary products and menstrual knowledge have made it difficult for them to attend school, during the 3-4 days of menstruation.   They also said social norms, misinformation about menstruation, and health factors such as reproductive tract infections (STIs) contribute to their poor performance in school.

At least 102 girls were given sanitary products and taken through the menstruation hygiene process. The girls were also sensitized on GBV – the various forms of GBV and different referral pathways one can follow when they face GBV cases.

The event was facilitated by a CSO partnership between Border Hub, Women Students Welfare Association (WOSWA) and Collaborative Centre for Gender and Development (CCGD) to mark the day at Alupe Primary in Teso South, Busia County.

The partnership seeks to contribute to the creation of safe spaces for structured conversations and support for the girls with menstrual products.

Busia CSOs in a group photo with girls Alupe Primary School in Teso South, Busia County during awareness creation on Menstrual Hygiene.
[Photo -JJ
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POTUMA Women Vow to Calm Warring communities in Kerio Valley 

By Carol Jebet
Chief Administrative Secretary for Gender, Hon. Jebii Kilimo addressing widows during an event organized by Come Together Widows and Orphans Organization (CTWOO).
[Courtesy CWTOO]

Pokot, Turkana and Marakwet (POTUMA) women leaders as well as those from Baringo have vowed to meet the bandits and plead with them to down their weapons and end the bloodbath constantly witnessed in Kerio Valley.

Speaking at the forum in Eldoret, Chief Administrative Secretary (CAS) for Gender Hon. Jebii Kilimo said that the killings are unfortunate because the four warring communities intermarry and thus they are relatives.

She noted that during peace meetings, only the elders and leaders attend the meetings while the youth who are at the forefront of the banditry and wars bedeviling the four communities are absent. She called for the youth to be involved in such peace meetings since they are the right targets for the peace messages.

She observed that majority of women are widowed with children due to violent conflict resulting in the deaths of young men. She feared that the generation might be wiped out.

The women agreed to jointly strategize for common priorities to enhance women’s roles and networks in peacebuilding in their respective areas of residence. Some of the activities and events suggested included; inter-communal dialogue, prayers, community peace dividend programs, intercommunal market days, and response to early warning signs.

Also present was Tecla Namashanja from Coalition for peace in Africa (COPA), Australian High Commissioner, Mr. Williams Lukes, Elgeyo Marakwet Governor, Alex Tolgos, Turkana County CEC Gender, Youth, Tourism, Minerals, Climate change, Environment and Culture Special Deputy County Commissioner (coordination the Kerio valley corridor- West Pokot, Baringo and Marakwet Boundaries), Tiaty West Sub- County Administrator among others.

CCGD is contributing to supporting the counties of Baringo, Mandera and Samburu to implement localized county action plans on women peace and security as envisioned in the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 (UNSCR 1325) and Kenya National Action Plan (KNAP II)

Baringo County Administrator, Carol Jebet (third-left) with a group of women who are members of POTUMA Women Group during POTUMA women leadership forum held in Eldoret town. [Courtesy]
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Involvement of the Youth in the EAC Integration

By Maurice Goga
Africa Youth Trust Executive Director, Hesbone Ndungu speaking on issues affecting the Kenyan youth during the National Dialogue Forum held on 23rd and 24th February, 2022 in Nairobi. [Getrude Angela, CCGD]

The Principal Secretary (PS) State Department for East African Community, Dr. Kevit Desai paid tribute to the youth as important stakeholders in the EAC integration process since they form a substantial part of the population and their participation in the Consultative Dialogue Framework (CDF) cannot be understated. The PS made the remarks during the National Dialogue Forum held between 23rd and 24th March 2022, 

 He said that several initiatives to mainstream youth into the EAC policy, programs, and projects such as; harmonization of curricula; examination; certification; accreditation of education of training institutes; and harmonization of university fees have been put in place.

Dr. Desai called on the youth to understand and internalize the initiatives of the integration process as this will enable them to spread the integration process to the grassroots and critique the process and policies of implementation.

On his part, the Chair of the National Dialogue Committee – Kenya, Mr. Masheti Masinjila acknowledged the notable presence of the youth whom he said had attended the forum in good numbers, a clear indication that the dialogue process will continue.

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Kenya holds its National Dialogue Forum

By Maurice Goga

In gearing up for the 7th East Africa Community Secretary General’s Forum under the theme, “Towards a post-COVID-19 recovery for Socio-economic transformation”. Kenya through the Ministry of East African Community and Regional Development convened Kenya’s National Dialogue Forum (NDF) between 24th and 25th March 2022.

While addressing the stakeholders, the PS. State Department for East African Community, Dr. Kevit Desai noted that the NDF provides a platform where issues affecting the EAC citizen are discussed and fast-tracked to the annual Secretary General’s Forums. Adding that through Consultative Dialogue Framework (CDF) a lot has been accomplished such as the inclusion of other professionals in accounting, architecture, veterinary, surgeons, land surveyors and advocates who have all been included in the EAC integration agenda.

PS. State Department for East African Community, Dr. Kevit Desai during the National Dialogue Forum held on 23rd and 24th February, 2022 in Nairobi. [Getrude Angela, CCGD]

The PS also said through the EAC integration process they have witnessed harmonization of the education curriculum including the development of rules and regulations guiding the conduct of examination, and certification in the EAC education institutions.

Dr. Desai lauded the efforts of private sector organizations in advocating and helping achieve a business and economic environment through evidence-based policy advocacy leading to the harmonization of trade presentation and regulatory frameworks. Further, they have also helped in the harmonization of standard products and realization of free movement of factors of production including addressing the trade barriers to cross-border women traders and micro and small enterprises.

He said that NDF offers the stakeholders an opportunity to celebrate some of the successful outcomes of the EAC integration process. He urged them to reflect on the commitments under CDF and develop a scorecard that would remind the policy makers where is as far as the EAC integration agenda is concerned.

In his remarks, the Chair of the National Dialogue Committee (NDC), Mr. Masheti Masinjila noted that the CDF sets up the protocol for continuous and systematic dialogues between the CSOs, PSOs and other interested groups – the youth, PWDs, political parties and professional associations.

According to Masheti, after the break of the old EAC, it was decided that the new EAC will be a people-centered and driven community. Meaning if the seven heads of EAC partner states disagree, their disagreements cannot lead to the fall of the community.

The Chair pointed out that the discussions emanating from the forum are intended to lay the ground for different kinds of policies for the government.

“Government works through policies and laws – they need policies to inform their action plans and at these kinds of meetings lays the ground for different kinds of policies,” said Masheti.

He added that they will lobby at the regional level to carry over the outcomes of the meetings to the 7th SG’s Forum which will be held in Nairobi, Kenya.

He also acknowledged the support the dialogue process has been receiving from ‘Kenyan best donors’ particularly Trade Mark East Africa, Ford Foundation, and FAWE- Kenya whom he said have always supported the dialogue processes.

“We appreciate the support we have always received from the ‘Kenyan best donors’ who understand and appreciate the dialogue process and availing funds for these functions,” said the NDC Chair.

Also present was Ms. Linda Ochiel, Ford Foundation Program Officer in the Eastern Africa region who said that the Foundation supports regional mechanisms such as the EAC. She added that in the Eastern Africa region they focus on two key issues  – corruption and protection of civic space.  

Ford Foundation Program Officer in the Eastern Africa region, Linda Ochiel addressing participants of the National Dialogue Forum held 3rd and 24th February, 2022 in Nairobi. [Getrude Angela, CCGD]

“We support regional mechanism because the government is at the core of the things the foundation is very keen on,” she said.

Adding: “To have a regional mechanism essentially means that the civil societies and the public would have an alternative mechanism which they can use to hold the government accountable on governance, democracy, and human rights issues.”

She said the Foundation is keen to ensure that there are resources available at the regional level to support initiatives to ensure that the regional mechanisms have sufficient resources to be able to fulfill their mandates.

Others present included representatives from Ministries and State Departments/Agencies; East African Civil Society Organizations’ Forum (EACSOF); Disability Sausage;  University of Nairobi Women Economic Empowerment Hub (UON WEE Hub); Africa Youth Trust, Horn of Africa Youth Network, Collaborative Centre for Gender and Development (CCGD), Transparency International Kenya (TIK), CUTs, International Institute of Legislative Affairs (IILA), East Africa Tax Governance Network (EATGN) Eastern Africa Child Rights Network (EACRN) among others.

The stakeholders deliberated on various national issues papers including Re- focusing on anti-corruption efforts to reduce gender-based and other inequalities; Domestic resource mobilization in EAC – Illicit financial flows in the extractives sector in the EAC; Removing barriers to free movement of goods, services, and persons through digital trade; Proposing adoption of regional policy intervention for regulating trans fats per World Health Organisation global agenda; Double Taxation Agreements (DTA) Leveraging on youth demographics – Youth Peace and Security; The socio-economic effects of COVID – 19 on PWDs; COVID-19 and human trafficking: The socio-economic etiology of human trafficking; Accelerating COVID-19 recovery and resilience through Gender Responsive Budgeting in East Africa; COVID-19 and Sexual Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR) of girls and young women; Why we should avoid checking boxing in peace and conflict: Experience of Persons with Disabilities.

Some of the key resolutions included:

  • Develop a policy framework to guide regional trade to address the lack of harmonized rules of digitization.
  • Implementation of Common Market Protocol through a harmonized taxation policy.
  • Digitization of tax systems across the region for ease of reference on the trial record.
  • Create an enabling environment for the realization of socio-economic rights as enshrined in Constitution and EAC Treaty.
  • Review of the law to ensure petty offenses are not custodial within partner states.
  • Increase Budget allocation IEBC to enable them to hold PWDs responsive elections.
  • Protection of vulnerable groups such as PwDs, youth, women, and children
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Lunch of a Study on Women’s Economic Empowerment

Collaborative Centre for Gender and Development (CCGD) in partnership with the Ministry of East African Community and Regional Development, the East Africa Civil Society Organizations’ Forum, and Nathan Associates Foundation convened a two-day stakeholder (state and non-state actors) forum for the launch of a study on women economic empowerment.

The study dubbed, Increasing Salience and Strategic Engagement for Women’s Economic Empowerment (WEE), Women Empowerment Collectives (WECs), and Gender Integration (GI) was conducted between October and December 2021 with a focus on the WEE, WECs, and GI policy and projects and initiatives outside the Ministry in charge of Gender, State Department/ Agencies directly charged with advancing women’s empowerment and gender equality.

While addressing the stakeholders, the Principal Secretary, State Department for East African Community Dr. Kevit Desai stated that a lot of efforts have been put into women’s economic empowerment especially around building the capacity of the women cross-border traders. He attributed these efforts to the able leadership of Mr. Masheti Masinjila, the Executive Director of CCGD, and Prof. Wanjiku Kabira, Director University of Nairobi Women Economic Empowerment Hub (UON-WEE Hub).

The PS noted that the Ministry of East African Community and Regional Development in partnership with development partners have embarked on transformation agenda of engaging the women cross-border traders in the border counties with a view of building their capacities so that they can benefit from the gains of the EAC integration process.

“Towards this end, we will continue to train and capacity build women cross-border traders on the EAC trade rules, regulations, and procedures,” remarked the PS.

He said the training has been informed by the reports from the Regional Women in Business Conferences that took place in Kigali Rwanda and Nairobi Kenya in 2011 and 2015 respectively.

Adding that during the two conferences, the women cross-border traders complained that they struggle to find and understand information on goods and services allowed for trade in each partner state, the standardization process, the authorization of certificates required, the taxes and tariffs applicable in each country, import and export laws, the rules of origin and customs procedures among other details that are important for trade within the EAC region.

In addressing some of the issues raised by the women traders, Dr. Desai pointed out that Kenya in partnership with the International Labor Organization (ILO) initiated the process of developing a simplified guide to EAC trade rules, regulations, and procedures for cross-border trade to enable women traders to access all the relevant information regarding cross border trade.

The training he said will boost the business of 16 Million traders in the EAC region of 70% are women dealing with primary stable and agricultural commodities.

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Dr. Desai noted that despite the efforts put toward women’s economic empowerment, there still existing gaps that need urgent attention, saying that a lot of work done by women are not rewarded.

“A lot of work done by women for example the care work is either not paid or underpaid,” he said.

Adding: “If women must meaningfully participate and benefit from the economic endeavors then the skills must be home and targeted for wealth creation and their well-being and that of the Nation.”

He called on the country not to see women as passive recipients of women’s support but as active abled partners in this human economic endeavor.


On his part, CCGD Executive Director, Mr. Masheti Masinjila noted that the study focused on women simply because of the number of women in business not only in the EAC region but in Africa.


“Africa is unique in the world having more women actively involved in the informal business which serves the biggest majority of the people in terms of the population,” said Masheti.

He called on the stakeholders to support businesses done by women saying that such businesses have a direct impact on the greatest part of the population and such a population will be directly affected if women’s businesses are not supported.

The ED noted that the findings of the study on Increasing Salience and Strategic Engagement for Women’s Economic Empowerment (WEE), Women Empowerment Collectives (WECs), and Gender Integration (GI) will be shared with stakeholders and other policymakers to enable them to understand the obstacles women in the business face in Kenya.

Adding that the study will also provide an opportunity for the stakeholders to directly engage the women traders in terms of information enhancement, capacity building of the skills, involving them in dialogues where they will gain knowledge about different kinds of resources and sometimes contribute towards the
formulation of the policy framework that assists them in doing their work


“As we speak, important development partners are exchanging information about the prospects available to women, particularly those in lower businesses who require associations to learn more about business,” said Masheti.

The EAC Secretariat
Also present was Generose Minani, the EAC Principal Gender and Community Officer who thanked the organizers for extending the invitation to the EAC Secretariat saying that was an indication that Kenya
cares about the EAC integration.

On women’s economic empowerment, Ms. Minani said at the Gender Department of the EAC Secretariat deals with a component of women in business.

Further, the EAC Gender Policy component five of the policy focuses on trade, business and economic empowerment with a key emphasis on women to bridge the gender gap.

“If it is gender policy, women are highly considered because we all know that this group of the population still lags in spheres of development,” she said.

She urged the stakeholders to put a mechanism that will see the women in business being upgraded from informal trade to formal trade and from small scale to large scale.

Others present during the two-day stakeholder’s forum included East Africa Civil Society Organizations’ Forum Chairperson, Mr. Morris Odhiambo, UON -WEE Hub Research Expert, Dr. Reuben Waswa, Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA) Public-Private Dialogue Specialist, Mr. Patrick Maingi, Linet Otieno and Chikanne Ezeigbo of African Development Bank, Consultants; Felix Otieno and Mwangi Kahenu, representatives from government Ministries and State Departments/Agencies, Kenya National Bureau of Statistics, Action Aid Kenya, KU-WEE Hub, County Government of Kajiado, Bungoma, Busia and Makueni, Nairobi Metropolitan Services, Kenya Association of Manufacturers.