The Invisible Violence in Kenya a Case Study Of Rift Valley and Western Regions

Abstract

This book – The Invisible Violence in Kenya: A Case Study of Rift Valley and Western Regions – could not have been more appropriate and timely. With the new Kenyan constitution having been adopted in August, this book provides background details, informs the reader about the events which took place during and after the last presidential elections and takes a look ahead. It is a plea for more national cohesion, a well-justified aim in the light of the outcome of the last elections. The book provides an excellent narrative of Kenyan political history and reminds us not to forget. At the same time, it encourages us to learn from the past and to look forward. The urgency of the moment dictated that a co-operation of Kenya’s Party of National Unity (PNU) and Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leaders was of utmost importance to find a workable solution to the 2007/2008 post-election crisis. However, the diplomatic community which helped in brokering the peace deal between the parties involved as well as Kenyans themselves are aware of the fact that there were long running underlying causes to the violence. In resolving national problems, it is important to have a systematic understanding of the dissatisfaction of the people and of grassroots-level issues which ultimately feed the dynamics on the national level. The strength of this book is that it methodically explores conflict issues starting from the local to the national level by using the case study of two regions that have been plagued with perennial conflicts - the Rift Valley and Western regions, the latter encompassing what at the time of research were Western and Nyanza provinces. It generates a first-hand understanding of the state of the three provinces and provides informed guidelines for building durable and sustainable peace in the regions and Kenya as a whole. . While this book is of particular interest to government officials as well as to peace and development practitioners, it also serves to increase awareness among the general public seeking to understand historical underpinnings to conflicts in Kenya, and serves to demonstrate opportunities for peace building. Published by the German Konrad Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS), I believe the book informs in detail about conflict intervention and the peacebuilding activities of KAS as well as of other relevant actors – governments, and human rights, peace and development agencies. I am united in solidarity with every actor focused on achieving genuine and sustainable peace in Kenya and the East African region at large.