Responding to Deadly Conflicts in Western Kenya

Having worked in Mt Elgon since 2007, men have always been blamed for the atrocities that faced the mountain during the Sabout Land Defence Force(SLDF), the group was responsible for deliberately killing and abduction of young men who were used to paddle the narrative of land rights and those who refused were mutilated body parts especially the right ear and other inhuman treatment, women were raped and sexually violated. The force wanted specific land parcels in the event of forcefully acquiring them, they would destruct and burn down properties, steal livestock and kill the original owners of the property and dump their bodies in open pit latrines.

The training brought men from Chepyuk, Emma, Chorleywood, and Kapkateny. The purpose of the training was to reflect on the aftermath of the land conflict that continue to trigger new life stressors that include the Covid-19 pandemic

“Some of us were forced to join the sldf militia to save our families and land, I was tortured before I accepted, after the government intervened and most of us were sentenced to jail, we lost everything, the fight was in vain, most of us were used, am very sad I betrayed my wife and children, I suffered ten years in prison, I have been struggling for the last four years, this training has saved me from committing suicide, I need your help and forgiveness” x-militia

On the third day of the training the men in the training formed a watchdog group in four areas of Kopsiro division. The groups will be responsible to report and intervene any form of gender based violence, they will also work with local administration.

“We have directly or indirectly aided violence against women, most men have perpetrated violence, today we stand and say no to violence against women and children, through the Mt. Elgon men watchdog with the help of TCSC, we will advocate for nonviolence and report any kind of abuse and any formation that may be used to create or plan for violence” participant

“This training has reminded me of my dark past, through your initiative of integrating us back in community am happy after prison I was accepted and forgiven, HROC training has helped me to forgive myself and start my journey of healing” participant

Our collective fight against Covid-19 virus has been part of our new normal. Transforming community for social change has been responding to conflict in the larger western region for more than ten years, since last year, we have been fighting Covid-19 which has put our country and the world to test. The pandemic has given us an opportunity to reflect, as Kenyans and the world, on the fact that there has been no war as big as the one we are currently fighting. The positivity rate has been alarming, during these testing times, however, caution has been our best defence, the best arsenal in the fight against the pandemic. The latest wave in Covid-19 infections, is teaching us that we need an inclusive personal responsibility in the fight against Covid-19. As part of infection control measures for the pandemic, in our TSCS trainings we have encourage participants to adopt preventive measures such as hand washing, wearing masks, sanitising, social distancing and adopting behavioural changes such as avoiding crowds. When we have people dying in our country as a result of this virus, we should all bear the responsibility to play a unique part in this collective battle against the virus. Loss of jobs, lockdowns and curfew still hurt many Kenyans, humanitarian support of basic needs still a key priority among vulnerable.