Language: English

Narratives about ethnicity have shaped Kenya’s political and social landscape since the colonial period, often incentivising violence and destabilising democracy. This 40-minute video focuses on the roots and consequences of the simplified narratives entrenching ethnic divisions in the country, particularly between the Luo and Kikuyu communities. It offers practical recommendations for transforming these narratives to foster depolarisation and democratic resilience. 

The video brings into conversation four IFIT experts and partners with decades of experience working towards peace in Kenya, including within national institutions designed to address past harms, ongoing polarisation and barriers to cohesion: Josiah Musili, Director of the Kenyan Directorate of National Cohesion and Values; Tecla Wanjala, CEO of the Shalom Centre for Counselling and Development and member of IFIT’s Law and Peace Practice Group; Samuel Kobia, Chairman of the Kenyan National Cohesion and Integration Commission and member of IFIT’s International Advisory Council; and Sellah King’oro, Advocate of the High Court of Kenya and member of IFIT’s Inclusive Narratives Practice Group.

Dr. King’oro uses as a starting point our recent research publication, which she authored with Solon Simmons in collaboration with the Directorate of National Cohesion and Values. She outlines three ‘us versus them’ narratives shaping Luo–Kikuyu relations and analyses their implications for broader dynamics in Kenya. Noting that efforts to impose a unifying narrative have not been effective, she recommends a narrative peacebuilding approach based on understanding the historical events, collective traumas and structural issues underpinning these narratives, as well as tailored engagements that reshape the narratives from within in a way that facilitates peaceful engagement.

Mr. Musili adds that divisive narratives at the local and national levels in Kenya are based on ethnic stereotypes that can fuel direct and indirect conflict, particularly during election periods. Noting that government agencies, including the Directorate of National Cohesion and Values, have set up early warning systems to identify threats and prevent violence before it occurs, he further recommends a set of narrative peacebuilding strategies for reducing polarisation. In addition to ensuring community participation, these strategies include conducting narrative assessments to map and understand divisive narratives; building a critical mass of stakeholders with narrative transformation skills; and adopting government policies that explicitly address the grievances behind divisive narratives. 

Dr. Wanjala describes the Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission’s efforts to investigate historical injustices and rights abuses committed from independence in 1963 to the signing of the post-election violence peace agreement in 2008. These included gathering testimonies and organising hearings for affected communities, including both victims and perpetrators, to share their stories about what occurred. She notes that truth commissions would benefit from conducting narrative assessments and incorporating narrative peacebuilding into their work, while recommending community-based dialogues infused with narrative tools as a key way to elicit shared strategies for addressing injustices and promoting trauma healing.

Rev. Dr. Kobia reflects that narratives around ethnicity have been weaponised in Kenya. He describes the National Cohesion and Integration Commission’s efforts to address divisive narratives, including by monitoring social media and vernacular radio stations for inflammatory content; engaging with influencers and especially artists to promote responsible messaging; working with law enforcement to investigate and prosecute hate speech; and investing in civic and peace education. Noting that narrative polarisation can lead citizens to disengage from political discourse and experience disenfranchisement – in addition to being used to incentivise violence – he highlights the importance of young people, with the critical thinking they bring to issues, to transforming conflict into collaboration. He stresses that narrative transformation is not a side project, but rather central to cohesion, democracy and peace.