Against the backdrop of the recent election violence and rising political tension in Kenya, Clingendael Academy has provided insider mediation training for peace builders in the country.

Three training sessions were conducted in the past weeks in the western city of Kisumu, which was at the center of violent clashes between opposition protestors and law enforcement during the aftermath of the recent contentious reelection of President Uhuru Kenyatta.

In the training programmes, the last of which ended last week only, Clingendael trainers worked with a diverse group of community leaders, religious representatives, educators and mediators to strengthen the participants’ mediation skills and provide effective tools for conflict resolution. The training was conducted as part of a national strategy to empower Kenya's local peace infrastructure.

The need to build mediation capacity in the country cannot be overstated, with violence expected to erupt anew in the coming days with opposition leader Raila Odinga having himself sworn in as 'president of the people' on the 30th of January, in defiance of President Kenyatta.

The participants in the training showed great drive and ability in tackling issues such as:

• tribal divisions and shifting identity issues;
• mapping of root causes of conflict;
• handling of passive and active resistance;
• maintaining impartiality as an insider mediator.

The training was organised in cooperation with the National Steering Committee for Peacebuilding and Conflict Management and Local Capacities for Peace International.

Our training facility 'Negotiation and Mediation Training as a Conflict Resolution Instrument'
For further information on Clingendael Academy's training facility 'Negotiation and Mediation Training as a Conflict Resolution Instrument', please click here.