A study of state-led peacebuilding in Kenya

Building peace that lasts

A study of state-led peacebuilding in Kenya

Nyambura Githaiga

Thesis submitted to the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Doctorate in Philosophy degree in Political Science

School of Political Studies Faculty of Social Sciences

University of Ottawa

? Nyambura Githaiga, Ottawa, Canada, 2016

Abstract

The concept of peacebuilding evokes the image of international interventions in countries emerging from civil wars. Despite the visibility of this engagement, post-civil war peacebuilding is just one form of peacebuilding. As a response to smaller scale violent conflicts, ongoing peacebuilding interrupts cycles of violence and prevents the escalation of violent conflict. The 2007/8 post-election violence in Kenya captured international attention due to the scope and magnitude of the conflict. In 1992 and 1997, Kenya had experienced lower levels of electoral violence. The recurring and escalatory nature of violent conflict implies that peacebuilding should be a strategic response, earlier on, to prevent violence from reaching new levels. Since 2002, the Kenyan state has actively engaged in peacebuilding. This study on state-led peacebuilding in Kenya deviates from the typical post-war interventions to analyse peacebuilding as an ongoing preventative response by national actors to intermittent violence.

This thesis seeks to explain the impact of this state-led peacebuilding approach on the practice and prospect of peace. To do so, I first explore the multiple conceptions of peace held by those engaged in this approach to understand what type of peace is being built. Second, I analyse the paradox of the state in peacebuilding and how the role of the state has influenced the nature of peacebuilding and consequently the prospects for peace. The state in peacebuilding presents a paradox because of the state's direct and indirect involvement in violent conflict as well as the top-down nature of state engagement. Third, I interrogate the relationship between the institutionalisation of peacebuilding and the sustainability of peacebuilding and peace. I find that state-led peacebuilding in Kenya has raised the profile of peacebuilding, improved the synergy between peacebuilding actors and increased the inflow of resources available to build peace. This positive influence is countered by the negative implications of the state's role in promoting a

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reductive conceptualisation of peace and unsustainably institutionalising peace building. I conclude that, though the state has a role to play in peacebuilding, the contradictory implications of state-led peacebuilding challenge the sustainability of peacebuilding and peace. Key words: peacebuilding, peace, Kenya, violent conflict, infrastructure for peace

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Acknowledgements

To the God of my life, who made this happen.

I was rightly told that doing a PhD is like running a marathon. I must pace myself and keep running. Of all the half marathons I have run (okay, just three), this was by far the toughest, but there were enough highs to temper the lows. I thank all those who helped, taught, guided, encouraged, entertained and supported me. I pause to name but a few who endured the travails and triumphs of my race.

First, to my supervisor, Professor Stephen Brown, you are an amazing mwalimu! Your excellent and gracious academic guidance and constant encouragement were invaluable. You set the standard for hard work, prompt feedback, open door hospitality and even free therapy. You made me always want to do better. And what a gift it was to work in your coveted corner office when you were away and enjoy natural light to brighten the long writing days. I can never thank you enough. I will pay it forward.

Many at the University of Ottawa helped me along my way, thank you all so much. Merci Dr. C?dric Jourde for a great introduction to African politics, and for your thought-provoking insights that improved my thesis. Dr. Stephen Baranyi, thank you for kindly providing feedback during the drafting process and the valuable role you played in my thesis committee. In finalising this thesis, I was privileged to have great advice from my internal examiner, Professor Vern Redekop of St. Paul University and my external examiner, Dr. Jacqueline Klopp of Columbia University. To the faculty, staff and students at the School of Political Studies, merci beaucoup! In particular, over the duration of my studies, I appreciated the pleasant and administrative efficiency of Sylvie Lachapelle and Gail Petrin, who never tired of my many questions.

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The race was made easier with the various grants and awards I received. My special thanks to the Faculty of Graduate and Post Graduate Studies and the School of Political studies. I am extremely grateful to the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada and the International Development Research Centre of Canada for very generous doctoral awards.

My field work was the best of times. Confidentiality prevents me from naming all the remarkable peacebuilders I interviewed, but my warmest thanks to all of you. I was particularly inspired and impressed by the dedication of women peacebuilders. I am grateful to the Department of Peace and International Studies of Daystar University and especially Rev. Patrick Musembi and Dr. Philip Njuguna, for the moral and intellectual support. I also appreciate the support and guidance of Local Capacities for Peace through Millicent Otieno. Thank you Wamuyu Wamunyu and Rebecca Suchi for wonderful research assistance.

I am indebted to those outside academia who prayed for me, celebrated my milestones, and listened to my struggles, with patience and good (very good) humour. To my family and friends outside Canada, you are beyond wonderful! My mother Anna, my siblings and their families: Michael, Ciru & Joe, Andrew & Magda, Jennifer and our friend Dorcas Miato. My witty friends who kept me laughing, often at myself: Gachiku Kamau and Abeba Amene. Thanks, thanks to my friends in Toronto and Ottawa who made sure I was well cared for: Paula Messina, Soheir Girgis and Doris Vandenbergen.

I was fortunate to have the company of fellow PhD marathoners who reassured me of the new normal. Thanks Dr. Jen for being the sister who never told me how hard the doctoral race would be, but made up for it by cheering me on and talking me off the ledge when needed. Dr. Beth, thank you for sharing your race with me and for all those shut-up-&-write sessions. Thanks

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