Creators of Peace Circles in Mukutani- South Baringo
A three-day Creators of Peace Circles training for 21 women from two conflicting communities took place between 1-3 Dec, 2015 in Mukutani, South Baringo, Kenya. Mukutani is a small village in the far south of Baringo, neighbouring Laikipia and Samburu Counties. Mukutani is the home to two communities, the IIlchamus and the Pokots. It once had been proposed to be the Headquarters of Baringo County under the colonial regime but because of the fights between the two communities, it was moved to Kabarnet. There is a permanent river flowing from Thomson Falls straight to Lake Baringo called River Mukutani and the land is very fertile but no agricultural activities take place there since the two communities are pastoralists in nature. The women said that the cause for the fighting was pasture for the cattle and that the Pokots go further and steal the cattle from the Illchamus.
Due to the negative development caused by the conflict in the area it was a real challenge to get transportation to this inaccessible
area. Fortunately the Deputy County Commissioner, Mr. Felix Kisalu, who also had a peace meeting in the same place, was kind enough to provide transportation for the team (with heavy security due to the fear of armed bandits). He also introduced the team officially to the local leadership who whole heartedly welcomed them.
The introduction to the training, using the Creators of Peace (CoP) thread exercise, was very significant given that the two conflicting women (from Pokot and Illchamus tribes) had been symbolically united. “It was a good idea to keep the relationship within the two tribes since we are now a family of CoP,” said a participant who added that “carrying each other's burdens is very significant simply because it will make us not fight each other since we are a community of women who will bring healing in Mukutani.”
According to the women, some of the concerns affecting the area are bad politics, selfishness, alcoholism, unemployment, illiteracy, ignorance, corruption, retrogressive cultures, rumours and jealousy. They also suggested some solutions including: educating their children, improving on the infrastructure, improving the Health Centre and, starting up projects which will involve participation from both the two communities.
After going through the session ‘What creates and what destroys peace’, Peris said that she had been able to better understand how peace can be built or destroys it. Selina shared her thoughts on how women can run other projects to earn income and address the cattle rustling problem e.g. cultivating the land and selling vegetables because they are near the River Mukutani which never dries up.
The morning reflections were a powerful space for personal change. 
Among the shared insights were: “educating a woman is to educate a family, community and this also goes to the national level;” “God had a purpose for us to be chosen for the seminar and peace will start with us and our homestead.” Mary said there is no need for carrying grudges in her heart for here she learned to forgive and practice it every day. “Asking for forgiveness is the key,” she added. “Let us talk to our husbands, children and neighbours. One community instead of one divided by tribalism;” “Let’s talk peace in the community because we have learnt and seen the light;”, “we know who are doing the wrong and they are our children and husbands. Let us talk to them. We have the powers from God,” these were more comments shared.
The group discussed how to share peace with other women and one of the key things decided is that a group be formed called TIA CHOMNYOT COMMUNITY PEACE CREATORS which will meet every 15th day of the month at the church compound in order to actively participate as peace ambassadors in their community.
The CoP team in Kenya appreciates the financial support from the CoP Sydney team that enabled this training in Baringo to take place.
Facilitators and Report: Mediatrix Masava, Rose Njeri and Rachel Wamalwa
Photos: Rachel Wamalwa