Peacebuilding and Conflict Management

The retreat featured roundtable plenary discussions and in-depth analysis, offering a strategic platform to advance the Directorate’s mandate of coordinating, harmonizing, monitoring, and evaluating peacebuilding initiatives across the country.

From 10–14 March 2026, @NSCpeace held a 5-day retreat in Naivasha to conduct the Directorate’s Mid-Term Evaluation & Post-Validation of the 2022/2023–2027 Strategic Plan. The review assessed achievements, identified gaps & refined strategies to deliver on its targets & objectives

This week @KECOSCE conducted a courtesy visit to the @NSCpeace to strengthen coordination, benchmark and create structured synergy in conflict detection, information triangulation, and timely response especially as Kenya enters a sensitive pre-election period, 18 months from the polls. Our discussions focused on formalizing multi-source data triangulation (NSC monitors, peace committees, and KECOSCE’s community-based analytics) that will enable proactive monitoring, especially during festive seasons and elections, countering political hype and divisive narratives. We also examined emerging risks like resource-based conflicts and technology facilitated tensions. Youth (75–80% of Kenya’s population) were emphasized to have the potential to contributed to the mandate of NSC as peace ambassadors via digital influencers and blogger. We also explored sustainable peace financing through the proposed Peace Fund as outlined in the Peace Building Archit

Introducing our new Secretary of the National Steering Committee on Peacebuilding and Conflict Management, Josephine Onunga. A results oriented leader, Josephine believes peace to be simply when people live without fear and families are safe from harm. She comes into office at a time when community dialogues are delivering real results in resolving boundary, border and natural resource disputes around the country. Since 2023, hostility between the Degodia and Murule communities in Mandera has been kept at bay following a peace agreement. Along the Sondu boundary between Kisumu and Kericho, a landmark inter-county peace pact was coordinated and signed by Governors Prof. @AnyangNyongo and Dr. @DrMutaiEric restoring trade, movement, and trust. In Marsabit, after centuries of antagonism, the Gabra and Dasanach communities also recently signed a historic peace accord witnessed by the Principal Secretary for Internal Security, Dr. Raymond Omollo @ray_omollo. These milestones reflect deliberate efforts to strengthen peace systems nationwide and today, Kenya has an acclaimed national peacebuilding architecture developed with strong support from local and international partners. @UNinKENYA @UNDPKenya @EUinKenya

📸 @giz_gmbh team toured the @NSCpeace Situation Room 'the heartbeat of the directorate' for a deeper understanding of the National Conflict Early Warning and Early Response (NCEWER) system’s operations and coordination mechanisms.

The Secretary gained insight into engagement structures between the two organisations as they pursue a strong partnership. Key 2025 programme highlights were shared including youth participation, trust & confidence building and mental health well-being among other priority areas.

@giz_gmbh team led by Coordinator Sophie Schmitt, met with @NSCpeace Secretary Josephine Onunga to discuss 2026 programme activities focused on strengthening & building capacity for peace initiatives nationalwide, including election-related activities ahead of the 2027 elections.

@UNDPKenya team led by their Project Manager Elvi Agunda held a courtesy & introductory meeting to the Secretary @NSCpeace Josephine Onunga at the Directorate's office. The meeting reviewed the 2025 projects & interventions and further discussed agenda-setting priorities for 2026

The Uwiano Platform for Peace members reiterated on the need for social cohesion, strengthening of conflict Early Warning and Early Response mechanisms, incorporate trans-generational conversations and institutionalizing peace beyond electoral cycles.

@NSCpeace Secretary Josephine Onunga held her introductory meeting with members of @Uwiano_Peace during which she stated that, as Co-Chair she was honored to be part of the forum & noted that the work ahead would require bold partnerships, sustained vigilance &creative approaches

Chaired by CS Hon. @kipmurkomen, we held a briefing with Heads of Departments and Agencies under the State Department for Internal Security and National Administration to align priorities and sharpen strategies for effective implementation. The meeting focused on strengthening service delivery, improving planning, enhancing accountability and fast-tracking key reforms. Our key priorities include intensifying the fight against alcohol and drug abuse, sustaining operations against banditry and criminal gangs and bringing government services closer to the people. Present were the Principal Administrative Secretary (National Administration) Beverly Opwora, Principal Administrative Secretary (Internal Security) Jacob Narengo, and Heads of Departments and agencies.

Mombasa's 6 Sub-Counties, 13 Divisions, 32 Locations, and 64 Sub-locations are not just numbers on a map, but direct lines to services, support and solutions for the people. Through the work of National Government Administrative Officers (@ngaosKE) under the State Department for Internal Security and National Administration, these administrative units ensure government presence at the grassroots, bringing coordination, service delivery and responsive leadership closer to every community. Your County is your Community.

The exercise was attended by respective NGAOs, Sub-County Security teams, elders, religious leaders, women, youths & CSO representatives.

The analysis focused on the changing political dynamics, improved stakeholders' engagement & preparedness, risk & opportunities and develop actionable recommendations to inform coordinated peacebuilding efforts ahead of the next electoral cycle.

Through the leadership of our Secretary Josephine Onunga, @NSCpeace conducted a four-day post assessment exercise of the just concluded November 2025 by-elections in Kasipul, Malava, Magarini and Mbeere North Constituencies.

The delegation also had the opportunity to visit the Situation Room at NSC, which hosts the National Conflict Early Warning and Early Response System (NCEWERS) and learn on our data collection, analysis & verification process and dissemination mechanisms to response agencies.

NSC hosts the Conciliation Resources' West Africa Partners for a comparative learning visit. The delegation from Ghana, Côte d'Ivoire, & Burkina Faso intent is to learn Kenya's Peacebuilding Architecture and Kenya National Action Plan III on the Role of Women in Peace & Security

The Secretary later visited the National Conflict Early Warning and Early Response System (NCEWER) at the Situation room for a brief on its operations and coordination mechanisms.

NEW SECRETARY: The new Secretary of PeaceBuilding and Conflict Management Josephine Onunga, has today held her introductory meeting with @NSCpeace staff at the secretariat's office, where she was taken through an overview of the directorate's mandate and structure.