JAMII YA KIBERA

After the disputed 2007 Kenya General Election, the informal
settlement of Kibera in the heart of Nairobi's leafy western suburbs,
was split apart by violence. Neighbors turned on neighbors,
communities turned on communities, and friends turned on friends. What
followed was a frightening period of time marked by suspicion, fear
and mistrust. For a month, as police patrolled the area, resident were
subjected to continued violence and unrest. Businesses were destroyed,
the market was burnt down and a large mass of people felt inclined to
flee their homes. Communication completely broke down and rational
dialogue was replaced by hysterical rumors. In short, Kibera
witnessed some of the worst atrocities seen during the crisis.

In response to this period of unrest, CFK partnered with community
leaders and other organizations to find a way to open up dialogue. The
resultant peace movement was branded JAMII ya KIBERA, or community of
Kibera. The movement has included community mediators' training,
community forums, assistance to the internally displaced, one-on-one
conversations, a slum-wide symbolic cleanup and a community fun day.
Additionally, a media campaign was developed in consultation with
young Kiberans that ask questions through a radio, poster, t-shirt,
and sticker campaign. It is our hope that these messages will continue
to challenge the people of Kibera to examine the roots of the conflict
and work towards restoring and building peace and unity in their
communities.

The movement has now been taken over by a team of community mediators
who desire to continue hosting forums and seminars that do more than
hollowly call for peace.