BACKGROUND
In the previous decades, conventional security response characterized by robust show of force has been the main form of intervention during and after ethnic violence in Kenya. Unfortunately, this method has neither dimished the conflicts nor endeared the state to the warning local communities. While these communities may welcome the temporarily protective aspects of state interventions, their relationship with the police nevertheless has remained unfriendly.
In response to the ongoing public sector reforms and the generally accelerated democratization of public service delivery in Kenya since January 2003, the AP prepared five-years strategic plan that was launched in March 2005. The overall aim of the plan was to professionalize as well as modernize AP department in order to remain a community-oriented security service provider with focus on development and peace.
The administration police strategic plan of 2010-2013 appropriately understood and interpreted within the expanding democratic space and expanding role of the AP department, peace building and conflict management is considered a core priority area which stands on four main pillars; partners , early warning system, peace keeping and conflict transformation under this priority area, close collaboration among public and private sector is required.
In this spirit of public private partnership, the administration police therefore partnered with social ministry of research and networking center (SOMIRENEC) alocal faith-based NGO, WITH a common objective to address Ethnic violence and other conflict related crimes in Rift valley province. Peace and conflict prevention programme(PEACE-COP) was there started in 2005 targeting the north rift Districts of Trukana, Samburu, Pokot, Marakwet and Baringo.
Through AP/SOMIRENEC partnership, peace-cop programme is using a scientific approach in understanding crime as a social phenomenon and is engaging all other grass root stakeholders in peace and development. So far, peace cop has created a wide social network of both AP and community peace monitors present in all districts of Rift Valley province. The peace monitors are well trained in peace and conflict issues and are able to provide real time information on security alerts for further action by the community elder s and government officials. This synergy between peace cop, civil organizations and the communities in Rift Valley is quite enriching making peace process a profounding bottom-up initiative.
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