Police and Post Conflict Peace Building in Kenya: a Case Study of Molo Region, Nakuru County 1990-2012

Abstract

Post conflicts peace building is big challenge facing Africa and the whole world today. It comprises various processes, roles and sequential activities proceeding from cessation of hostilities to economic reconstruction. This study evaluates the role of police in peace building in Kenya and specifically in Molo. It looks at how involving the police, in collaboration with all other stake holders would ensure success of peace building in the region. It includes responses to many agencies of peace building including religious organization, youths, women, civil society, business community, IDPs and police themselves towards police participation in peace building. Three main objectives guided the study. The first was to identify the various stake holders of peace building in Molo. These were programs, activities and efforts towards peace by the government and other non-state actors. The second objective was to examine why peace building efforts had failed in Molo. The third objective of the study was to assess how involving the police would help ensure success of peace building in the region. The study tested three main hypotheses. First it was that Peace building efforts in Molo have been ineffective. Second, many stakeholders have attempted to ensure successful peace building in Molo but their efforts have not led to permanent peace. And thirdly, fully involving the police in managing peace in Molo may help reduce recurrence of conflicts and ensure peace building is successful. The main theory in the study is positive and negative peace theory, by Johan Galtung. Galtung expanded the concept of peace and violence to include indirect or structural violence. According him peace is not merely the absence of violence and war but would include integration, justice and peace by peaceful means. The study thus examined the deep rooted causes of conflicts in Molo which unless resolved will result to the region experiencing negative peace. The study found out that indeed many stake holders are taking part in peace building in Molo. However, their efforts have not borne much fruits as seen in the recurrent conflicts. The study also found out police participation in peace building was minimal, much of their response were unplanned and reactive. Fully involving the police in peace building in Molo will bear fruits and make peace building successive.