We are ready for you! Baringo South Sub-County Commissioner tells Creators of Peace
‘As the Creators of Peace (CoP) team, we do not know or understand the root causes of the challenges in Baringo. We may never understand the reasons behind what is happening here. But there is one thing that we know for sure - that we have a transformative programme and this, we are willing and ready to give you wholeheartedly. If supported, the simple step of reconciliation taken by the women, could change the history of Baringo to a county of peace and development. If you nurture and support that courageous step, we can rewrite the history of Baringo,’ said Njeri Kimanthi. She was addressing the 34 leaders from Baringo county who honoured the invitation to take part in a consultative meeting organized by the CoP team in Kenya on 22 June.
For a long time, Baringo County has been in the headlines with disturbing news. Following a touching apology and reconciliation by women from all the three major communities in Baringo, the CoP team saw the need to take that courageous step further. They decided to focus on Baringo County through engaging in 50 Peace Circles (reaching at least 1000 women), 15 Dialogue meetings (reaching at least 1,500 community members) and 130 Chai ya Amani meetings (Tea for Peace meeting where local community members meet and take a cup of tea as they talk on how to make peace a reality reaching 2,600 community members). We realized this is a major project and for it to be successful, we needed the support of the community leaders.
The leaders came from the three major communities - Tugens, Illchamus and Pokot, representing different areas, i.e. political, administrative, religious, women groups, youth among others. The meeting was a success. It was a unique one since in Kenya, politicians politicize every occasion they attend - including burials! However, to our surprise, the agenda remained a continuing search for peace in Baringo. ‘We are here today because for us to continue with the peace building work, we need you and we depend on you to make it possible,’ said Mumbi, one of the facilitators in her opening remarks.
Before the floor was opened to the leaders, an excerpt from the film clip of the apology on the historical day of 27th May was shown to the participants and Njeri Kimanthi addressed the leaders. ‘We cannot change the past of Baringo, but we can create a better future for the generations to come. We must also note that the peace we are searching for shall not be found in a day. It is a process and I therefore request all of you to work hard for peace and be patient at the same time,’ she said. Ann Njeri concluded her address by sharing the plan for focusing in Baringo.
A member of the County Assembly committed to make sure that CoP is supported financially. 'I wish to congratulate you for the work you have been doing. As a leader, you can’t be happy when the people you lead are suffering and being killed. 
I am in the Budget Committee and the chair for the Women Focus Group and I am going to push to make sure that you are supported,’ she said.
More leaders continued to share from their hearts. ‘How can we develop when our children are not going to school? When problems strike, women suffer a lot in Baringo. Please, our men and sons, listen to the cry of women,’ were the touching words of a woman leader.
It is not just women who have suffered. ‘Men, we have hard hearts. Let’s stop that. We have suffered as well. Let us talk to our children. They shall listen to us because we are their parents’ said an elderly leader of the community.
The Baringo South Sub-County Commissioner, Mr. Felix Kisanu, was full of praise for CoP and IofC Kenya. ‘We have heard positive messages about CoP and we are very impressed by what you are doing on the ground. We are ready for you. We are happy with the approach you have taken - using women as tools for peace. You are dealing with the “software component” of our people which have long been neglected and is key to transforming people.’ ‘Many organizations have been here but I can tell you for sure that what you are doing is unique and has great impact.’ he continued. He then proceeded to invite IofC and CoP to offer psycho-social support to children and women in Baringo. ‘In a special way, I want to invite Initiatives of Change to handle the psycho-social challenge facing our people who have been adversely affected by conflict.’ he added.
With the support of the Baringo leaders, now the biggest challenge is to find the funding to make this project a reality. We are trusting in God for this providence. Your continued prayers and support are highly appreciated.
It is with much appreciation that we wish to thank all those who held this meeting in prayer and positive thoughts. We also wish to thank some members of CoP Sydney for the financial support that made this Consultative Meeting possible.
Special thanks to; The CoP Team: Rose Kamau, Mumbi Wambugu, Esther Inzekhella, Rachel Wamalwa, Ann Gitu, Annastasa Munene & Njeri Kimanthi
Technical Support: Zack Muturi
Photo Credits: Sam Mwaura Kamau.
Report by Rachel, Rose, Mumbi & Njeri