Kenya in the 1990’s, there was a general increase of violent confrontations nation-wide emanating from attempts for constitutional reforms, growing tensions around multi-party democracy, poor governance practices at national level, and lack of public safety. Chemchemi Ya Ukweli (CYU)—Kiswahili for Wellspring of Truth—Trust is an interfaith movement that was founded in 1997 by a group of religious
leaders concerned about this growing culture of violence in the country. Its founding fathers, who were rooted in the ideals of Catholic Social Teaching, introduced the concept of “active non-violence” as an alternative means in the struggle for peace and justice in the country. Since that time, CYU has succeeded in creating awareness broadly on various forms of injustice in Kenya and has managed to mobilize people to demand their rights through peaceful actions. Since inception, CYU has also changed from its original roots within the Catholic Church to a more inclusive movement, which has put a strong emphasis on its inter-faith nature, thereby reaching out to other Christian denominations, Muslims, Baha’is and Hindus. During the same time, its strategies also have expanded to include civic education, research and community policing. Achievements
Fourteen years on, CYU is an authority in the area of Active Non-Violence and is often sought after by other civil society organizations and religious institutions for its long-standing and grounded experience. There are several note-worthy achievements affixed to CYU:
1. Winners of the Martin Luther King Leadership award 2000-2001
2. Establishment of the ANV movement in Kenya by consistently profiling ANV as a value and way of life as well as a strategy for social transformation and change
3. A national and local NGO that is consulted by civil society and religious organizations on national and religious matters country-wide
4. Assisting communities to recover grabbed land and generally journeying with marginalized people
5. Establishment of six community policing fora
6. Establishment of six vibrant inter-religious fora
7. An active partner of Kenya Social Forum, Kenya Debt Relief Network, Inter-faith Action for Peace in Africa, Friends of the Earth International, Peace and Development Network and Peace Tree Network amongst others
8. Spearheading people-driven and people-centered constitution review processes
9. In collaboration with other key actors, involvement of the Inter-religious movement of Kenya
The 2012-2017 strategy builds on CYU’s achievements for the last fourteen years. The development of the strategic plan was informed by a thorough assessment; analysis of current institutional relationships; analysis of the changing operating environment and the evolving patterns and instigators of violence in Kenya against the vision the country has set out for itself through the new national constitution. In this strategic plan, prioritized areas include:
• Intensifying mobilization, sensitization of communities for meaningful engagement;
• Advocacy and policy influencing to engage communities, legislators, the public and civil society actors;
• Research, information and documentation;
• Institutional strengthening and capacity building for increased effectiveness and efficiency in operations and programs;
• Improving organizational infrastructure, management, financial capability and governance.
