stephen otoi

In Tana River, Education stakeholders convened under the Together for Religious Freedoms (ToFORB) Project with support from @SFCG_Kenya have discussed Policy recommendations for enhancing Freedom of Religion and Belief in the Education sector Deliberations explored strategies for harmonizing School Uniforms with religious attire such as the Hijab, equipping learning institutions with spaces and amenities for expressing religious practices such as prayers, eradication of stereotypes and prejudice and enhancing recruitment of Teachers Religious Education Stakeholders reinforced the need for balanced allocation of bursaries for all learners. Compliant handling procedures were highlighted by the @KenyasOmbudsman. A joint communique on the resolution was developed and issued to duty bearers and the media

Today we have engaged County level stakeholders and independent commissions; County Security and Intelligence Committee, County Executive Committee members, civil society, religious leaders, members of the Fourth Estate, @SFCG_Kenya @KenyasOmbudsman on drumming up support for Policy, Institutional and administrative reforms towards the realization of Freedom of Religion and Belief and the enjoyment of Human Rights in Tana River County. Discussions dissected the dimensions in which Human-Wildlife interactions manifest in conflicts that leave marginalized communities disgruntled and resentful. While the conflicts are largely resource-based the intersection with Political and religious identities exacerbate deep-seated grievances; including delayed and disproportionate compensation of affected persons, Duty Bearer overreach and Administrative Malpractice The engagement has drawn policy recommendations and key institutional reforms that stakeholders will pursue and fast track towards realization of Justice and protection of Human Rights in Tana River County

Encouraging progress 👏 Strong unity and commitment to peace in Tana Delta. Great to see collaboration and positive steps forward.

@KECOSCE, with funding from @GCERF through @tendasasa, held a robust engagement forum bringing on board Tana Delta Sub_County Security team including KWS, Agriculture officers, Sub_County Administrator with community leaders including Religious leaders, Youth, Women, Council of elders, community structures and PWDs on preventing violent extremism. The forum provided a safe space for community leaders to dialogue, share information and raise some key security and community concerns including increase of human_Wildlife conflicts, drug abuse and theft, emerging juvenile groupings in Minjila and Garsen. Feedback on the progress on the localization of WPS, formation of #Jasiri villages and efforts taken by youth and local structures in preventing violent extremism was presented. The security team and County government shared their feedback and committed to adress the issues raised and further, committing to support efforts on preventing VE including support to WPS and youth efforts. Sub_County action plan and road map to address key concerns was developed. @NCTC_Kenya @Phyllis_Muema @Tanariver004

Women have convened localized Peace and Security forums in line with the KNAPIII and explored avenues for enhancing their Participation, and Protection efforts as well as harm Prevention and Rescuing survivors of climate induced conflicts and violent extremism in Tana River. These efforts are been coordinated by Working Groups formed by KECOSCE under the #KCERP in partnership with @tendasasa through @theGCERF support. There is now a grassroot movement for women who are inclusively responding to local drivers to violent extremism while driving local resilience

RT @KECOSCE: @KECOSCE is participating in a Community Security Sector Dialogue on Prevention and Countering Violent Extremism (PCVE) in Kil…

KECOSCE continue to celebrate the courageous women protecting women and girls, supporting survivors, and leading peacebuilding and #PCVE efforts. We remain committed to working with women across the coastal region to advance peace and resilience. “Women are at the heart of safer, stronger communities.” #InternationalWomensDay2026 @theGCERF @tendasasa

As part of Our Contributions on enhancing Civil Society organizations' Capacity on tackling Money laundering, Terrorist and Proliferation Financing, @KECOSCE participated in a Two-days National Level engagement as part of with the NPO Working Group on FATF in Kenya. Insights shared and plans put in place in collaboration with the Public Benefit Organization Regulatory Authority will go a long way in increasing vigilance, enhancing self-regulation mechanisms through Risk-Based Assessments for the sector. Kenya is now instituting Regulations to operationalize the process through multi-stakeholder engagement

KECOSCE hosted Ben Jalowsky, #HumanRights Officer from the @USEmbassyKenya , for a strategic engagement focused on strengthening collaboration around preventing and countering violent extremism (P/CVE) through rights-based approaches. The discussion emphasized building community trust, protecting vulnerable groups, and promoting inclusive governance, while exploring how KECOSCE’s Early Warning and Early Response (EWER) system can support preparedness ahead of the 2027 general elections by enabling timely information-sharing and community-led prevention. The meeting also addressed emerging local human trafficking trends and routes, reaffirming a shared commitment to human rights, freedom of religion or belief (FoRB), and the vital role of civil society in safeguarding peaceful coexistence and democratic processes. @SFCG_Kenya

@KeshoAlliance stephen otoi-KECOSCE

Today, @KECOSCE, with support from @SFCG_Kenya, convened a review meeting with our trained Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) and Human Rights Monitors in Tana Delta, in @Tanariver004,to assess progress on reported cases through the Early Warning Early Response (EWER) system. Key issues discussed included SGBV and defilement, early marriages and FGM, police accountability gaps, land and farmer–herder disputes, and intra- and inter-religious tensions affecting access to education, worship spaces, and community cohesion. Monitors emphasized the need for survivor-centered justice, stronger forensic processes, and improved police–community trust to protect both human rights and FoRB. The session also highlighted key achievements: the interception of early marriages, referrals of GBV survivors to formal support systems, mediation of resource-based and religious disputes, strengthened engagement with DCC and security actors, and increased uptake of formal justice pathways. Through reporting, radio engagement, and community barazas, our coalition continues to promote accountability, counter harmful religious practices, and advance inclusive coexistence where religious freedom and human dignity are protected for all. #FoRB #HumanRights #Peacebuilding @KeshoAlliance @MUHURIkenya @NCTC_Kenya

@KECOSCE has developed a guide for EWER analysis to support conflict prevention, mediation and early warning. here is the guide CONFLICTS_EARLY_WARNING_AND_EARLY_RESPONSE_USERS_GUIDE_KECOSCE.pdf

Economic resilience is a powerful shield. In partnership with @KECOSCE, we are linking youth to prosperity as a core part of Preventing Violent Extremism (#PVE). By replacing vulnerability with opportunity, we dismantle the roots of radicalization. 🕊️🛡️

Technical skills are the foundation, but partnerships & linkages are the bridge to success! At the 2026 Magarini Youth Info Forum, the PS for Youth & Sports joined Mapimo VTC to connect local talent with #NYOTA, #AjiraDigital, and #UwezoFund. 🇰🇪 #YouthEmpowerment

When our youth have a sense of belonging and economic purpose, they become ambassadors of peace and stability. Together with partners like KECOSCE, we are ensuring every TVET skill translates into a sustainable career and a more secure Kenya.@Phyllis @KECOSCE 🇰🇪💪 #Magarini2026 #PCVE

KECOSCE monthly roundup for January 2026 kecosce.org/wp-content/upl…

@KECOSCE ,with support of #ToFoRB project through @SFCG_Kenya, held a Radio talk show at #KRADIO, hosting Youth on the show and discussing on their role in enhancing religious tolerance, challenging sterotypes and exclusion. Youth are often pulled into violent extremism by unemployment, marginalization, lack of education, peer pressure, online radicalization, and poor governance. Prevention starts with awareness, economic empowerment, strong community structures, mentorship, and collaboration between leaders, police, and youth. @Phyllis_Muema @NCTC_Kenya

@KECOSCE, with support from @theGCERF through @tendasasa convened a community awareness forum in Tana Delta Sub-County, within Tana River County. The forum brought together women, youth, the council of elders, community paralegals, Nyumba Kumi representatives, area chiefs, religious actors, and persons with disabilities (PWDs) to strengthen their roles in preventing violent extremism through a human rights–based and gender-inclusive approach. Key sessions focused on scenario building, identification of push and pull factors, PVE dynamics, and early indicators of violent extremism. Three (3) high-risk villages were identified and earmarked for support under the #Jasiri Model, in collaboration with area chiefs. Additionally, three (3) community working groups were established — Kina Mama, Youth, and Male Support, aligned with the County Action Plan. Joint action plans were developed with concrete commitments to address priority community concerns through media engagement and existing community platforms. @Phyllis_Muema @NCTC_Kenya

Today @KECOSCE conducted a sensitization workshop for community structures drawn from Tarassa Sub_County in @Tanariver004 on prevention of violent extremism,with support from @theGCERF through @tendasasa. Participants were drawn from Community policing, Nyumba Kumi, village elders, council of elders, youth, Women and PWDs, graced by Sub_county security team led by the DCC. Community structures are critical line of preventing violent extremism, buiding their capacity and resilience is a critical step to reducing threat of radicalization and extremism in Tana River. Community concerns were raised, hotspots mapped and joint localized work plans developed to address key issues raised. @Phyllis_Muema @NCTC_Kenya #PVCE #CommunityResilience #JasiriVillages #KEWER

As part of strengthening the FORB Coalition formed under #ToFoRB project, @KECOSCE is conducting a coalition_Government FORB dialogues in Madogo_Tana River County bringing on board all multi_Faith networks, religious actors and community leaders to dialogue with state actors from relevant departments and institutions led by the sub County security team. This dialogue, offers a platform for Religious actors to share community issues, concerns, learn and re-learn as well as receiving feedback from state actors, the dialogue will culminate in joint action plan and a road map to addressing key community concerns in the area. @Phyllis_Muema @SFCG_ @MUHURIkenya @KeshoAlliance