By: Arthur Magero Abonyo MA, & Francis Mwangi MA.
During the 2013 and 2017 general elections, Kisumu and Nandi counties in Kenya experienced deadly ethnic violence along the borderline. There was maiming, killing, displacement of human populations, and massive destruction of social-economic infrastructures such as schools, health centers, and markets. Among the factors linked to the violence included disputed general election results, long-standing boundary disputes, historical ethnic differences, and insecurity occasioned by frequent livestock theft incidents.
Shalom-SCCRR intervention along the Kisumu-Nandi borderline was initiated in October 2017. This was a response to an urgent invitation by the local government administrators, community, religious, and lay leaders to initiate conflict transformation, peacebuilding, and school/educational development projects.
Significant School/Educational Development impacts Achieved through Shalom-SCCRR Interventions
- Classroom construction and renovation projects have improved learners’ enrollment, enhanced learner concentration, boosted teacher morale and fostered a culture of sustainable peace and development owing to the conducive teaching and learning environment.
“Shalom’s support with essential school infrastructure has given our learners one of the best learning environment – from overcrowded and dilapidated structures to standard classrooms.” Mr. Ambrose Omange, Nyang Primary School Headteacher.
- Availability of teaching and learning materials has improved Learner Textbook Ratio consequently leading to good academic performance for various schools.
“We thank Shalom for supporting our schools with stationeries and textbooks, this has given us ample time to concentrate on our studies. Our performance in exams has improved compared to our earlier results, before Shalom came to assist us with textbooks, stationeries and desks.” Ruth Glorious, the Chairperson of Kalyet Primary School Peace Club, expresses her appreciation to Shalom-SCCRR.
- Availability of standard and quality desks and lockers has improved learner attention, focus, health, comfort, teacher-learner engagement and care of learning materials (text books, stationery, etc.).
“Before Shalom’s help, our classrooms, sitting arrangements were in pathetic condition where learners could share up to 5 a desk; of which, more than half of the desks were broken. This risked safety of the learners and their physical well-being. In such conditions, teaching was kind of a penance because there was minimal concentration, pushing and pulling between the learners, absenteeism and so on. With the intervention of Shalom-SCCRR, at least in some classes, students have each a desk… This has created a proper learning environment and consequently improved academic performance and motivation for learners to attend school.” Mrs. Beatrice Nalo, Teacher at Kibigori Railway Primary School.
- Construction of standard toilets and other sanitary facilities has significantly improved the pupil-toilet ratio, which has helped in containing related illnesses.
- Construction of separate toilets for boys and girls has enhanced safety particularly for girls.
“Construction of standard toilets by Shalom-SCCRR to schools along the Kisumu-Nandi borderline has improved the hygiene and eased congestion of pupils and students in using the facilities.” Mr. Jackim Otieno Headteacher St. George Wuok Primary School.
- Installation of appropriate fencing and gate has supported security for the schools premises and pupils by restricting entry and exit point to installed gate.
“The installation of the fence and the gate has enabled security of the school premises and better control of learners by preventing them from sneaking out of school. By keeping intruders and trespassers away, there is a conducive and safe learning environment.” Mr. Joel Chumba, Kipsisiin Primary School, Deputy Headteacher.
- Provision of laboratory equipment has improved the performance of learners in science subjects
“We are ready to compete with other renowned and nationally highflying schools because Shalom has assisted us with Science Laboratory equipment,” remarks Mr. Paul Macharia, the principal at St. Peter’s Soba Secondary School.
We are very grateful for Shalom presence in our communities. First, we didn’t know what peace was, today we know and enjoy fruits of peace. Our schools, markets, health centers and other community institutions were gravely affected by conflict, but now they are all running without interruption and new companies are coming to this area. They empowered us with knowledge and skills to initiate peacebuilding activities by ourselves as ordinary community members. Shalom-SCCRR’s work with the two communities had impact and its still making a difference… Your presence will be always with us in our peace and development.” Mr. Ambrose Ngetich, Shalom trained, group animator from Tinderet, Nandi County, Kenya.
Authors
Arthur Magero Abonyo MA, Project Officer; Kisumu- Nandi & Nakuru Projects
Francis Mwangi, MA – Shalom-SCCRR Monitoring, Evaluation, Research, Learning Officer (MERL)
Relevant Links
- Shalom-SCCRR. (2024). A Perspective on the Philosophy and Work of Shalom-SCCRR by Prof. Wanakayi K. Omoka (RIP) remembered, with the 2023 Results Added by the Dept. of Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL). https://shalomconflictcenter.org/a-perspective-on-the-philosophy-and-work-of-shalom-sccrr-by-prof-wanakayi-k-omoka-rip-remembered-with-the-2023-results-added-by-the-dept-of-monitoring-evaluation-and-learning-mel/
- Shalom-SCCRR. (2024). 2023 SHALOM-SCCRR RESULTS AND ACHIEVEMENTS. https://shalomconflictcenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/2023-Peacebuidling-Conflict-Transformation.pdf
- Shalom – SCCRR. (2024). 2023 Shalom-SCCRR School/Educational Developments Results and Achievements. https://shalomconflictcenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/2023-Schools-Educational-Development-Report-Shalom-SCCRR.pdf
- Butler, J. (Oct, 2023). Harvard Kennedy School; A Conversation with Rev. Dr. Patrick Devine, and Paula Soumaya Domit https://shalomconflictcenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Harvard_Kennedy_School_Article_WITH_PHOTOS_MAP_1_17_24_FINAL.pdf
- Magero A. (2023). Shalom-SCCRR’s Success in Conflict Transformation and Development along Kisumu – Nandi Conflict Borderline; Eastern Africa. https://shalomconflictcenter.org/shalom-sccrrs-success-in-conflict-transformation-and-development-along-kisumu-nandi-conflict-borderline-eastern-africa/
- Mwangi, F. (2022).Shalom-SCCRR Empowered Communities Sustaining Peace at the Kisumu-Nandi Borderline during the August, 2022 Kenya’s General Elections.https://shalomconflictcenter.org/shalom-sccrr-empowered-communities-sustaining-peace-at-the-kisumu-nandi-borderline-during-the-august-2022-kenyas-general-elections/
- Magero, A. (2020). Briefing Paper No. 7: An Analysis of Luo-Nandi Conflict, Kenya. Persistent Inter-Ethnic Hostility and its Impact on Socio-Economic Livelihood along Kisumu-Nandi Borderline.https://shalomconflictcenter.org/briefing-paper-no-7-an-analysis-of-luo-nandi-conflict/
- Shalom-SCCRR. (2022). Shalom Empowerment Center (SEC) Addressing Violence against Women and Children: Concept Document. https://shalomconflictcenter.org/eastern-africa-shalom-empowerment-center-sec-addressing-violence-against-women-and-children-concept-document/
- Magero A. (2022). Shalom-SCCRR success journey with the community towards building cohesion to counter inter-ethnic and political intolerance along the Kisumu-Nandi borderline.https://shalomconflictcenter.org/shalom-sccrr-success-journey-with-the-community-towards-building-cohesion-to-counter-inter-ethnic-and-political-intolerance-along-the-kisumu-nandi-borderline/
- Devine, P. R. & Odote, P. L.(2017). Kenya Elections 2017: Empowering communities at risk of violence to be resilient. https://shalomconflictcenter.org/kenya-elections-2017-empowering-communities-at-risk-of-violence-to-be-resilient/
- Erot, P. (2017). BBC and Shalom-SCCRR Confer; Engagement on the Potential Peace and Conflict Issues during and after Kenya’s October 2017 Elections. https://shalomconflictcenter.org/bbc-and-shalom-sccrr-confer/
- Okoth, G. (2018). Gearing to go: Shalom requested to intervene Shalom (SCCRR) lays foundation for long-term peacebuilding along the volatile Kisumu/Nandi border in Western Kenya. https://shalomconflictcenter.org/gearing-to-go-shalom-requested-to-intervene-shalom-sccrr-lays-foundation-for-long-term-peacebuilding-along-the-volatile-kisumunandi-border-in-western-kenya/
- Okoth, G. & Magero, A. (2022). A Conflict Transformation Journey with Community Leaders turns Historic Foes into Formidable Collaborators Working for Peace and Development along the Borderline of Kisumu and Nandi Counties.https://shalomconflictcenter.org/gearing-to-go-shalom-requested-to-intervene-shalom-sccrr-lays-foundation-for-long-term-peacebuilding-along-the-volatile-kisumunandi-border-in-western-kenya/
- Magero, A. (2021). Protecting children’s lives, securing infrastructure by Shalom-SCCRR at Kipsisiin Primary School in the volatile Kisumu/Nandi borderline. https://shalomconflictcenter.org/protecting-childrens-lives-securing-school-infrastructure-by-shalom-sccrr-at-kipsisiin-primary-school-in-the-volatile-kisumu-nandi-borderline/
