By Bruno Aero
In a powerful show of regional unity, Kenya, Somalia, and South Sudan have launched a pioneering peace initiative aimed at bolstering stability and tackling violent extremism in East Africa. Dubbed the Regional Programme on Peacebuilding and Preventing Violent Extremism, the three-year program was officially rolled out in Nairobi on Wednesday, backed by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Kenya and a coalition of international partners.
The new initiative emphasizes grassroots collaboration across the three nations, mobilizing local communities and institutions to reinforce peace and security. Speaking at the launch event held at Kwetu, Nairobi, Kenya’s Principal Secretary for Internal Security and National Administration, Dr. Raymond Omollo, highlighted the program’s potential to unify and strengthen regional security frameworks, saying, “This program represents a strategic shift in our collective approach to peace and stability in East Africa. It builds on the significant progress achieved across the region, targeting sustained stability and development for our communities.”
In Kenya, the program will serve as a cornerstone of the nation’s evolving peace and security strategy, aligning with a newly developed policy framework for peacebuilding and the prevention of violent extremism. This framework, the result of extensive consultations led by 13 prominent peace advisors, maps out key conflict triggers and introduces strategies to address modern security challenges, including youth radicalization and violent extremism.
The establishment of this framework was in response to President William Ruto’s directive for a comprehensive review of Kenya’s peacebuilding architecture, marking a decisive moment in the country’s commitment to security. This regional program aims to extend that commitment across borders, uniting the citizens of Kenya, Somalia, and South Sudan in a shared vision for peace.
The UNDP and its partners continue to support East African governments in fostering resilient, secure communities, enhancing stability, and addressing root causes of violence and radicalization.