Assessment of Youth participation in Peacebuilding in Selected Churches in Kericho County, Kenya

Abstract

Participation of youth in peacebuilding has been a subject of concern by governments, organisations both national and international, research institutions and academic institutions as they theorise and implement various approaches. Kenya experiences politically instigated violence in every national election cycle. Young people are both culprits and victims of this violence. It is, therefore, important for youth to be involved in the prevention of such violence by engaging them in peacebuilding. This study investigated youth participation in peacebuilding in the selected churches in Kericho County. The objectives of the study were: First, to investigate the models of youth’ participation in peacebuilding in these churches, second, to examine the type of youth mentorship programs undertaken by the churches in peacebuilding, third, to evaluate youth participation in socio-economic development programs on peacebuilding and finally, to assess the integration of Christian values in peacebuilding activities. Subsequently, the following churches were selected for the study: African Inland Church (AIC), African Gospel Church (AGC), Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK) and Catholic Church (CC). The study was guided by Fowlers Theory of Faith Development. The theory holds that at an appropriate stage of growth, young people at an individual level, and the community at large ought to understand their personality and character, that of others and God. That is important in informing their behaviour. This research work was based on a constructivism philosophical paradigm. Young people were fully engaged in training and learning processes in various peacebuilding activities. This was a qualitative research. A cross-sectional research design was utilized. All participants selected were involved in various levels in peacebuilding during the time of data collection. Primary data was collected through interviews and Focus group discussions (FGDs). Secondary data was obtained from documents found in public, academic libraries as well as church records and archives. Purposive sampling was used to identify informants. The sample size included eight coordinators, eight youth group leaders and four FGDs. Data was analysed using thematic analysis. The study found out that the selected churches use several peacebuilding models which involve young people. They include: Dialogue, arbitration, evangelism, socio-economic development programs, and conflict resolution training model. The models used contributed to instilling the values of love, compassion, courage, justice for peaceful co-existence and self-reliance among youth in the community and society. The study concludes that the churches studied mentored the youth in peacebuilding. However, they were inadequate owing to lack of consistent training programs, insufficient funding and propaganda in the region. This created an atmosphere of uncertainty and mistrust among people of varied social and ethnic backgrounds in the county. The study recommends that church institutions should enhance the functioning and performance of youth socio-economic programs for peacebuilding in their communities. These can include the creation of non-profit church-based financial institutions and developing a more consistent mentorship program. Christians are encouraged to incorporate biblical values in all peacebuilding activities and in their entire mission work. Such values include the truth of oneness, unity of humankind and the call to serve one another as equal human beings.