THE KENYAN NEW STORY

The Kenyan New Story

The Partnership for Peace Project, CSO’s Training Programme is coming to a closure. There has been several trainings across the three provinces: Nyanza, Rift Valley and Western.

I had the privilege of attending all the Nyanza’s training courtesy of CIAG-Kenya, an implementing organization in the province. The trainings sessions were well coordinated and conducted with practical and implantable concepts for the 40 plus CSOs in the province. The methods of trainings have been instrumental in building the strengths of individuals and their respective organizations on basics, essentials, do’s and don’ts in peace building and conflict resolution processes.

I have been particularly overwhelmed by the cultural exchanges and celebrations sessions which have perfectly presented the peace processes and mitigations focusing on traditions and cultural methods. All African traditional celebrations and performances have captured numerous aspects of peace in relation not only to development but to entertainment and integration as well.  As a young person living in province of multiethnic outlook, where stereotyping and negative ethnicities have dominated, this facet of entertainment, theater and drama in peace building processes have been very striking.  The experience has been extremely valuable to every participant (as observed) and I hope it will go a long way to prevention and resolution of conflicts in areas affected by the post election violence.

The training courses have been facilitated with dear, most knowledgeable people I have ever met. Babu Ayindo and David Steele have kept the spirit going. In all of the occasions, these first-rated consultants have gone further to personalize their life experiences, their journeys and challenges in the peace work. The trainees would many at time ask much mush these two people had done in this area of peace work internationally. They have not failed to showcase their privilege to have been trained by these peace people.  

I need however revisit the title of this passage “The Kenyan New Story”

It is discreet that I refer to a few speeches which to me are reflections of the new stories. Ronald Wilson Regan came out to speak about “A Time for Choosing” during one of his campaigns forums. He talked about peace and prosperity, the freedom and relationship between his countrymen, cross neighbor relationship and finances. This was a new story for his people at that time. Malcolm X spoke about “The Ballot or the Bullet”. His new story managed to change the beliefs and the views of his followers and created a new history for his country. “I have a Dream” story has lived with the world for tens of years. Obama gave his people the spirit to carry on by amplifying the new story “yes we can” and yes he did it.

In the context of reframing our identity, it is imperative that all citizens define their own new story. The new concept should aim at uniting our various differences into commonalities, which we can all forge together towards. The new story should be able to inspire the people, across tribes all alike, unite them in their diversities and uniqueness. And as Chris, The Project Coordinator CIAK-Kenya puts it, we may never agree on opinions, or views or characters or principles, but there is always that one thing that amalgamates us – the social responsibility, the struggle for liberation and freedom of the common person. The commons Liberation and Freedom- Can this be the New Story for Kenya?