Creating peace is a calling from God – Creators of Peace follow up in Nandi County

Creators of Peace (CoP) follow-up meetings continue to keep the momentum; this time round visiting the Nandi South County.  The area is predominantly inhabited by the Luhyas from mostly Maragoli& Tiriki, and the Kalenjin communities. The Kalenjin community in this place still practice cattle rustling. In the 90’s,this caused a lot of clashes between the two tribes resulting in deaths, torching of houses and people being displaced. Up to now the scars have not been healed since the wounds were made fresh by the 2007 /2008 post election violence.

However, in September of 2014, the Creators of Peace Circles was taken to 18 women in this area. The training played a big role in transforming not only the women who attended, but also their families and community. This was witnessed during the CoP follow-up meeting attended by 16 women on the 22 September, 2015, at the Mugen Friends Church in Chemgun village.

Chebet said, “I’m proud being part of Creators of Peace. I had issues with my immediate neighbour who used to graze his cows on my farm. I used to confront him every time and even report him to the area chief.  Through the training, I learnt of the qualities of a peace creator and put it into action. I rebuilt the fence of my farm and even when they broke again, I kept my silence and forgave him. It made him question my decision of silence unlike the previous times.” From that point, Chebet says that they created peace with the neighbour and even became friends. She shared with her ‘former enemy’ all about the Creators of Peace training and how it had changed her.

Another lady, Beatrice, who is a widow and a church leader shared her experience after the Creators of Peace training.  She said, “I was the secretary to our church.  Everyone admired my work except one lady who was against it.  She started issuing threats and organized some other women to gang up against me. I kept calm and my inner peace helped me hold on.” The Nandi women, just like in the previous follow-up meetings, were grateful for our visit. It rekindled their desire even more, to do more peace work, because to them, they believe that this is more than a responsibility; it’s a calling from God to serve.

Report    : Esthermarrie Inzekellah,  Rose Njeri Kamau

        Photography: Sam Mwaura