Kenya Community Media Network Launches Peacebuilding Initiative in Isiolo
Local organizations, journalists, activists, and members of the community have partnered with the Kenya Community Media Network (KCOMNET) to implement a three-month peacebuilding initiative in Isiolo.
The program aims to promote nonviolent communication, conflict-sensitive reporting, and greater community engagement in shaping peace narratives through the media with Radio Shahidi and Angaaf community Radio journalists partnering to implement the program.
Central to the initiative is a community-based learning model that encourages open dialogue, active listening, and responsible information sharing to foster peaceful coexistence.
It also seeks to help local residents better understand the media’s role and work collaboratively with journalists to develop and disseminate peace messages.
Speaking at a planning meeting held in Isiolo, KCOMNET Project Officer Doreen Mwasi explained that the initiative will bring together journalists and community members to identify conflict issues, hold dialogues, and develop targeted peace messages.
“In the early stages, the project design team will work with communities to map out key conflict triggers in various parts of Isiolo,” Mwasi said.
The messages will then be packaged, broadcasted, and their impact assessed within the communities in cooperation with the media practitioners.
Erick Muthomi, Project Coordinator at the Regional Pastoralist Peace Link, emphasized the need for participants to understand both the “connectors” and “dividers” of peace within the region.
In Isiolo, business and religion are strong connectors that bring people together while illegal arms, drug trafficking, competition for pasture, harmful cultural practices, porous borders, and radicalization were highlighted as critical dividers fueling conflicts.
Muthomi warned of the potential for climate change to worsen resource-based tensions if not addressed proactively, citing grazing pressures in areas like Burat and Mlango as examples.
Participants in the initiative will undergo training on conflict analysis, covering conflict stages, root causes, impact triggers, and risk assessment. The aim being to equip them with the tools needed to support informed decision-making and sustainable peacebuilding.
Ahmed Set, Treasurer of the National Council of Elders and Chair of the Isiolo Interfaith Council, praised the launch and reminded attendees that in the event of conflict there are no true winners or losers and pointing at the Israel-Gaza conflict as an example.
Set urged journalists to uphold integrity, honesty, and ethical responsibility in their reporting.
During the discussions, local blogger Guru Voke raised concerns about the limited role of local journalists in investigative reporting.
He pointed out that issues like land injustices often remain uncovered by local media and are instead highlighted by national or international outlets.
Photo: Basra Ibrahim civic educator
Activist Anab Kassim echoed these sentiments, calling on journalists to remain objective and treat subjects with dignity—especially in a rapidly evolving media landscape.
Anab encouraged journalist to understand the law and utilize it in circumstances that demand legal frameworks to ensure peace and security among communities.
This initiative is expected to lay a strong foundation for peace-driven journalism and community collaboration in conflict-sensitive regions like Isiolo.
