The Role of the Catholic Church in Promoting Peaceful Coexistence among the Communities in the North Rift

• Peterson Kabugi Thumi

  Laikipia University

  Author

North Rift, Kenya, has been an epicenter for inter-community conflicts over the years. There are multi-sector government initiative operations to manage the skyrocketing banditry attacks that have paralyzed socioeconomic activities among these communities living in the region. The Catholic Church, through its humanitarian and pastoral services, has implemented several strategies as its contribution to addressing peace among the warring communities in this region. The main objective of this research is to analyze the role of the Catholic Church in promoting peaceful coexistence among the communities in the North Rift: successes, challenges, and lessons. The findings from this investigation synthesized the successes achieved by the Church, the challenges they faced in their programming, and the lessons learned that can be used to inform policy and operations the government is currently carrying out in the region. The target population of the study was 129 employees who have participated in North Rift Peace Programmes from Nakuru, Eldoret, Kitale, Lodwar, Isiolo, Maralal, and Nyahururu. The study applied Nassiuma's (2000) statistics and established the systematic sampling formula to determine the 98 sample size. For rapid data collection, the investigator used a structured questionnaire administered online via Google Forms. Descriptive regression analysis techniques were used for quantitative data. The findings employed by the Catholic Church Peace Programme, the management of emerging challenges, and ploughing back lessons learned in the peace-building process have achieved several milestones in the peace-building process in the North Region, where conflict has existed over several decades. The findings of the study will be useful to the policy of the North Rift Peace and also operations being undertaken by sector-wide agencies. 

1. Peterson Kabugi Thumi , Laikipia University

   Rev. Fr. Dr. Peterson Thumi Kabugi is a Catholic priest in the Diocese of Nyahururu. He has a degree in Theology from Urbaniana University in Rome, a master's in Theology from Catholic University of Eastern Africa, and a PhD in Religious Studies from Laikipia University. He is a Lecturer and the University Chaplain in Laikipia University. He has a passion in the field of youth and family apostolate.

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