MATHARE PEACE INITIATIVE KENYA

20/09/2026

LOCALIZING UNSCR 1325 AND UNSCR 2250 THROUGH SPORTS FOR PEACE

International Day of Peace 2026-Mathare Constituency, Nairobi, Kenya

Theme: Invest in Peace: For Everyone, Everywhere, Every Day

Localized Focus: Building Peace Through Women and Youth Participation Ahead of Kenya’s 2027 General Elections

Venue: Mathare Undugu Grounds, Nairobi
Date: 19th September 2026

Organized by: Mathare Peace Initiative Kenya (MPI Kenya) and partners

When Women and Youth Take the Field, Peace Takes Root

As Kenya prepares for the 2027 General Elections, Mathare Peace Initiative Kenya (MPI Kenya) continues to recognize that sustainable peace cannot be built without the meaningful participation of women and young people—two groups whose voices, leadership and energy are essential to preventing violence and strengthening social cohesion.

In celebration of the 2026 International Day of Peace, MPI Kenya localized and implemented the principles of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security and UN Security Council Resolution 2250 on Youth, Peace and Security through an inspiring Sports for Peace initiative at Mathare Undugu Grounds.

The message was simple but powerful:

When we bring people together in peace, we build communities that can withstand violence.

24 Teams. Six Wards. One Community United for Peace.

The Sports for Peace event brought together 24 teams and more than 500 participants, drawn from all six wards of Mathare Constituency, alongside friends and comrades from the University of Nairobi (UON).

The football field became more than a place for competition. It became a peacebuilding platform where young people and women from different backgrounds met, interacted, competed fairly, laughed together and built relationships beyond their normal social circles.

For several hours, the boundaries of neighbourhoods, groups and backgrounds disappeared. The ball became a language of unity, teamwork and friendship.

The atmosphere was energetic and joyful. Participants demonstrated that competition does not have to create division. Instead, sport can create opportunities for dialogue, trust, respect and peaceful coexistence.

Putting UNSCR 1325 and 2250 Into Practice

Rather than treating international peace and security resolutions as documents discussed only in boardrooms and conference halls, MPI Kenya took the principles directly into the community.

UNSCR 1325 calls for women's meaningful participation in peace and security processes, while UNSCR 2250 recognizes the important role of young people in preventing conflict and building peace.

Through Sports for Peace, these principles were translated into a practical community experience.

Women were given space to participate, engage and contribute to peacebuilding, while young people were provided with a positive platform to exercise leadership, teamwork and responsibility.

This was local ownership of global peace commitments.

More Than Football

The significance of the event went beyond the final score.

Every handshake, every team formed, every conversation and every moment of fair play represented a small investment in the kind of community Mathare—and Kenya—needs ahead of the 2027 elections.

Sports created an environment where participants could experience firsthand the values required during election periods:

Respect for one another

Tolerance of different opinions

Teamwork across community boundaries

Non-violent competition

Youth leadership

Women's participation

Dialogue and social cohesion

Peaceful conflict resolution

The event therefore demonstrated that peacebuilding does not always begin with a conference table. Sometimes, it begins on a football field.

A Community Preparing for Peace

With Kenya looking ahead to the 2027 General Elections, initiatives such as this provide an important opportunity to build relationships before tensions arise, rather than waiting to respond after conflict has occurred.

MPI Kenya believes that investing in women and youth today is an investment in a more peaceful tomorrow.

The 24 teams and more than 300 participants were therefore not simply players in a tournament. They were partners in a community peacebuilding movement.

Their presence sent a strong message:

We may compete on the field, but we do not have to fight each other outside it. We can disagree and still live together. We can come from different communities and still build one peaceful Mathare.

The Spirit of International Day of Peace

The Sports for Peace initiative captured the essence of the 2026 International Day of Peace theme:

“Invest in Peace: For Everyone, Everywhere, Every Day.”

The investment was not only financial. It was an investment of time, talent, relationships, leadership and hope.

As the final activities came to an end, one lesson stood above the rest:

Peace is not something we wait for. Peace is something we build.

And in Mathare, women and youth are not merely beneficiaries of peace—they are active architects of it.

Mathare Peace Initiative Kenya remains committed to strengthening community-led peacebuilding, women's participation and youth leadership as Kenya journeys toward the 2027 General Elections and beyond.

22/03/2026

Avoid Uhuru Highway, University Way and Lower State House road.

University of Nairobi students rioting over the abduction of Raphael Tuju

Tuko Rada

07/03/2026

International Women’s Day 2026 Report

The commemoration of International Women’s Day 2026 under the theme “Give to Gain” was successfully held thanks to the dedication, partnership, and unwavering support of our partners, friends, and community members.

It has a week of activities, from planning, to the GBV Forum, and finally the grand culmination event was impactful, inspiring, and meaningful for the women and the wider community.

The celebrations brought together community leaders, organizations, youth groups, and women from different backgrounds to reflect, learn, and celebrate the strength, resilience, and leadership of women, especially those from low-income communities.

The GBV Forum created an important platform for dialogue on Gender-Based Violence and Sexual and Gender-Based Violence, highlighting the importance of mental health, justice, and community support systems in protecting women and girls.

The culmination event was a vibrant celebration filled with recognition, appreciation, and unity. Through the Community Service Recognition Awards (COSRA), we honored outstanding individuals who continue to serve the community tirelessly, championing safety, dignity, and empowerment for women and girls.

This success would not have been possible without the generous support of our partners and friends. Your contributions whether through resources, facilitation, logistics, or moral support played a critical role in making every activity a success.

Because of you, many women felt seen, celebrated, and empowered.

On behalf of the organizing team, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to all partners and supporters who stood with us throughout this journey. Your commitment continues to strengthen our shared mission of building safer, more inclusive, and empowered communities.

Together, we made International Women’s Day 2026 not just a celebration, but a movement of hope, recognition, and empowerment.

Thank you for walking this journey with us. We remain deeply grateful. 🙏✨

25/02/2026

We were deeply honored and truly delighted to host a high-level delegation from Zimbabwe for a serious benchmarking visit on the work of MPI Kenya in advancing sustainable peace, and the meaningful inclusion of youth and women in governance and community development.

The delegation was led by Hon. Kudakwashe Mupamhanga, Deputy Minister of Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training, and Hon. M. Ziyambi, Chairperson of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training.

They were accompanied by Young Parliamentarians, Members of Parliament from the opposition party, and other distinguished leaders committed to youth empowerment and national development.

As MPI Kenya, we are humbled and proud that our grassroots peacebuilding model born and nurtured in Mathare continues to attract regional and international recognition.

Our work in strengthening community resilience, promoting non-violent conflict resolution, and ensuring the active participation of young people and women in decision-making spaces is a testimony that local solutions can inspire global impact.

It brings us great joy to see leaders from sister nations seeking to learn from community-driven peace actors.

We firmly believe that peacebuilding is stronger when knowledge is shared across borders.

Our doors remain open to other countries and leaders who wish to learn, collaborate, and exchange ideas on building inclusive, peaceful, and empowered societies.

Together, we can shape a more peaceful and equitable Africa.

12/02/2026

James Orr serves as Chief Executive Officer of the Mathare Peace Imitative Kenya.

He is a PhD Candidate in Global Governance at the Balsillie School of International Affairs through Wilfrid Laurier University (Canada), where his research focuses on international justice, institutional legitimacy, and the governance of international accountability mechanisms.

James brings a strong background in international law, global governance, human rights practices, and institutional development.

As the CEO, he supports the organizations strategic growth, international partnerships, and fundraising efforts, working closely with the Executive Director and Kenyan leadership team to strengthen governance structures and expand the organization’s national impact.

He is committed to advancing locally led peacebuilding, human rights, justice, education, and mental SRH-R initiatives/programs through principled leadership and collaborative partnerships.

11/01/2026

International Women's Day 2026 is just around the corner!

We warmly invite partners and stakeholders to join us in making this a truly memorable celebration as we honor the strength, resilience, and achievements of women and girls.

Let’s inspire change, empower voices, and create lasting impact.

01/01/2026

01/01/2026

01/01/2026

Dear Partners & Friends,

As it has often been said, “It was the best of times and the worst of times.” And indeed, that seems true more often than not.

The past year has been one of the most challenging seasons for us at MPI Kenya. We faced storms that tested our resilience, our faith, and our resolve.
Yet, at the very same time, it has been an incredibly fruitful year, one marked by growth, impact, and renewed purpose.

For all of this, we are deeply thankful. We recognize that even what did not originate from the Lord was, in His wisdom, allowed for our good to strengthen us, refine our mission, and prepare us for what lies ahead.
As best as we could, we remained faithful to the course entrusted to us, committed to serving our communities with integrity, courage, and compassion.

Today, we are encouraged to say that the storm of 2025 has passed. What remains is a stronger organization, clearer vision, and a deeper appreciation for partners and friends like you who have stood with us through it all.

Your support, whether through resources, prayers, advocacy, or encouragement has made it possible for MPI Kenya to continue advancing Justice and Peace, empowering communities, and protecting the rights and dignity of the most vulnerable.

As we look ahead, we invite you to continue walking this journey with us as partners in hope, transformation, and lasting impact.

Thank you for believing in our mission and for standing with MPI Kenya.

Together, we move forward steadfast, grateful, and hopeful.

With sincere appreciation,
Happy Alphonce Were
For MPI Kenya

18/12/2025

“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink…”
Matthew 25:35,40

Jesus reminds us that when we serve the least of these, we are serving Him.

The photo below was taken 8 years ago a simple moment, yet a powerful reminder that compassion changes lives. What began as a small act of kindness has grown into a continued mission of hope, dignity, and love for the most vulnerable among us.

As we approach this Christmas season, we are once again called to open our hearts and hands.

Many still go to bed hungry.
Many still need warmth, care, and reassurance that they are not forgotten.

I humbly ask for your urgent support to help us be a blessing to vulnerable families and street communities this Christmas. Whatever you give food, resources, or support will make a real difference.

To support or donate, please hit my inbox or call +254 722 419 980.

Together, let us reflect the love of Christ and restore hope where it is needed most. 🎄❤️