Search for Common Ground Kenya

01/10/2026

𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞: 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 & 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐊𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐢

On Monday at YMCA Kilifi in partnership with Concept Youths under the Mwanamke Imara; Jamii Bora project supported by Global Affairs Canada, we brought together young leaders for an open, powerful conversation on what it truly takes to shape our communities for the better.

With Peace and Security as our foundation, we didn't just talk, we tackled the real issues facing our generation head-on. Here is what we covered:

Digital Literacy & Critical Thinking: Learning how to process information thoughtfully, use digital spaces positively, and become true digital ambassadors for peace.

Conflict Resolution & Nonviolent Communication: Addressing the reality of rising political tensions where youth are often manipulated to fight battles for others. We discussed how to break these cycles and choose dialogue and rapport instead.

Civic Engagement & Leadership: Equipping youth with the tools to use proper platforms, exercise their civil rights, and make their voices heard so they won't be easily exploited.

Challenging Harmful Narratives: Building personal resilience against political pressure, radicalization, and violent extremist influences.
Mental Health Matters: In honor of Su***de Prevention Month, we opened up about mental health. Hearing the stories shared today made it clear: without mental well-being, young people are vulnerable to trauma, self-harm, and radicalization. Regular self-checks and supporting one another are vital.

Our youth are not only just the leaders of tomorrow but also the change makers of today. Let us keep building a stronger, safer, and more resilient Kilifi!

Action Life Kenya
Youth and Women for Peace and Sustainable Development
Canada’s International Development – Global Affairs Canada

24/09/2026

23/09/2026

𝐊𝐈𝐋𝐈𝐅𝐈 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐊𝐄𝐇𝐎𝐋𝐃𝐄𝐑𝐒 𝐅𝐋𝐀𝐆 𝐏𝐄𝐀𝐂𝐄 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐂𝐄𝐑𝐍𝐒 𝐀𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐃 𝐎𝐅 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟕 𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒

Concerns over youth manipulation, inadequate funding for peace structures and declining public trust have emerged in Kilifi ahead of the 2027 General Election in Kenya.

The issues were raised during a town hall convened by the Senate Standing Committee on National Cohesion, Equal Opportunity and Regional Integration as part of the Sixth Senate Mashinani.

The meeting, chaired by Marsabit Senator Mohamed Said Chute, brought together civil society organisations, government representatives, youth, faith leaders, peace committees, Kaya elders, boda boda representatives and community-based organisations.

Search for Common Ground was among the 13 stakeholders that made submissions, highlighting its collaboration with the National Cohesion and Integration Commission, emerging election-related risks and peacebuilding responses.

Represented by Senior Officer Dominick Mwambui, Search emphasised early warning, community led prevention and stronger collaboration between state and non-state actors.

Other Stakeholders present also raised concerns over gender disparities, mental health and safety, institutional accountability and the vulnerability of youth and boda boda riders to political manipulation.

Community peace committees cited inadequate funding, while land grabbing, squatter challenges and delays in issuing title deeds were identified as sources of tension.

Senators present included Busia Senator Okiya Omtata, Turkana Senator Ekowoma James Lomenen and nominated Senator for Bungoma Consolata Nabwire.

Parliament of Kenya

23/09/2026

𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐈𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐃𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐮𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐊𝐰𝐚𝐥𝐞

We joined key stakeholders for a public Baraza at the Kwale Cultural Centre, creating space for dialogue on the peace and security priorities affecting communities in Matuga.

Led by Deputy County Commissioner, Matuga, Fridah Anderson, the forum brought together State and non-state actors, women, youth, persons with disabilities, elders and peace champions.

The dialogue provided an opportunity to reflect on emerging challenges and identify areas requiring collective action to strengthen peace and security in the community.

Key issues raised included election preparedness, rising cases of Gender-Based Violence (GBV), and juvenile crime.

At Search for Common Ground, we believe sustainable peace is strengthened when communities and diverse stakeholders come together to listen, dialogue and work towards solutions that reflect local realities.

23/09/2026

𝐀𝐃𝐕𝐀𝐍𝐂𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐕𝐏𝐈'𝐒

We were honoured to participate in a high-level panel discussion during this year's Gold Summit held in Turkana County.

The discussion focused on governance, traceability, and responsible gold mining.

The summit, which brought together the private sector, government agencies, development partners, communities, scholars, and civil society, gave Search for Common Ground an opportunity to share knowledge and experience on peacebuilding to promote responsible mining investment in conflict settings, and the importance of encouraging governments and investors to embrace the Voluntary Principle Initiative.

21/09/2026

As the world marks International Day of Peace, here are some highlights from our projects.

15/09/2026

𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐛𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐓𝐮𝐫𝐤𝐚𝐧𝐚’𝐬 𝐂𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐬 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫

We paid courtesy visits to the Turkana County Commissioner, Mr. Julius Kavita; the County Mining Officer, Mr. Job Onyancha; the chairperson of the Turkana County Miners Association and local civil society members.

Our discussions focused on introducing Search’s approaches to peacebuilding and critical minerals, understanding the context of mineral development in conflict-sensitive areas, and identifying opportunities for collaboration to advance peace in the extractive sector.

Led by our Critical Minerals expert , Kashi Jermaine, the visit served as an opportunity to raise awareness about the Voluntary Principles that Search Co - Founded and which have been shaping the extracting Industry across the world on Security and Human Rights.

https://www.voluntaryprinciples.org/

15/09/2026

𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐊𝐞𝐧𝐲𝐚 𝐭𝐨 𝐎𝐱𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐝: 𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐆𝐥𝐨𝐛𝐚𝐥 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐒𝐚𝐟𝐞𝐫 𝐃𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐬

Search for Common Ground Kenya is pleased to join governments, researchers, civil society, technology actors and other key stakeholders at the inaugural Christchurch Call Foundation Action Forum at the University of Oxford, London, bringing together diverse perspectives to advance collective action against online harms and pathways to violent extremism.

As an implementing partner of Project Catalyst, Search is contributing perspectives and lessons from Kenya to a global effort addressing the intersection of online misogyny, Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence and Violent Extremism.

Together with our partner, National Counter Terrorism Centre - Kenya (NCTC), we are sharing insights and experiences from implementing Catalyst in Kenya highlighting the importance of locally grounded approaches, multi-stakeholder collaboration and evidence-informed peacebuilding in preventing pathways to violence.

From Kenya to the global stage, we remain committed to building safer, more inclusive and peaceful digital spaces where communities can thrive.

https://www.christchurchcall.org/programmes/catalyst

Peace Club TUM
Technical University of Mombasa - TUM
Centre for Rights Education and Awareness (CREAW)
National Police Service

12/09/2026

11/09/2026