CTI-II Project report cover

Community Together Initiative - II (CTI - II)

Reports

July 31, 2019

Program overview

The model developed by Community Together Initiative provided an opportunity to show what works in P/CVE programs. The project stressed community relationships, accountability, reporting, and response; that formed part of the existing structures of conflict management at community level. CTI-II project focused on the theory of change that; “building relationships with the policing units at the community level while dealing with trauma and unintended actions of both the police and communities, will reduce the susceptibility to radicalization and increase the response to address cases of injustice through conflict management and countering violent extremism, while fostering tolerance”.

Outcomes

  1. The training was one of the significant with the primary aim of capacity and informed decision-making, on the various issues and problems happening in the community. Additionally, the participants started discussions on early warning systems leading to the development of an accountability platform that morphed into a community organization called KACPEN.
  2. Community activities formed the highlight of the project. For example, the demystifying stereotypes through police cafés and community engagement, the event ensured the community interact with the representatives from NCTC, and request for a training covering the National Counter Terrorism Strategy. They also had an opportunity to interact with law enforcement leaders on some challenges in the community. Other activities included online messaging during the international peace day, community barazas, sporting activity, and a police station visitation meeting.
  3. The community together initiative-II resolved to build the critical mass of members who utilize alternative dispute resolution options and strengthen community/police relations in Kamukunji.
  4. Kamukunji community members hold police accountable for human and civil rights abuses. Human abuses are now going down within Kamukunji. The engagement of the trainees and “Hezi wa Majengo,” served as a starting point to encourage accountability on issues affecting Kamukunji.

Recomendations

  1.  Continuous training, accountability platforms, and relationship building would result in a more resilient community that responds to pressure and conflicts, including violent extremism and terrorism. 
  2. Second, partnerships with the private sector is one of the major options for expanding reach for projecting and encouraging sustainable gains to individual beneficiaries beyond the capacity building. 
  3. CTI-II project activities resulted in the creation of a community organization (KAKPEN), that is enhancing community engagement and has benefited from donor support (NIWETU). 
  4. The returnee issue is a growing threat in the communities that the national strategy, law enforcement and the community struggle with. The secrecy around the subject makes it difficult to respond and puts the community in more risk. The fear of blanket arrests is real, and the community still wonders how to report some issues as they arise. Though gains have been made in Kamukunji on police-community relations, the returnee issue may be the source of more rift; eroding the gains made.