From Conflict to Hope: Mt. Elgon Youth Empowered Through Peace and Mentorship Programme

By Victor Ngecho

From a region once scarred by conflict to one steadily embracing hope, youth from Mt. Elgon have benefited from a mentorship programme aimed at improving their social well-being and personal development. The initiative was organized by the local non-governmental organization, Transforming Societies for Social Change, and sought to empower young people with values of peace, education, and responsible citizenship.

The mentorship forum, held at Chepyuk Peace Centre in Mt. Elgon, attracted a significant number of young people from the area and provided an engaging and insightful platform for learning and interaction. The event was presided over by Shujaa Kennedy Kunani, a renowned peace ambassador and a leading figure behind the Amani Clubs movement in Kenya.

Mt. Elgon was previously a stronghold of the Sabaot Land Defence Force (SLDF) militia, a group linked to the late Matakwei. During its formative years, the militia radicalized local youth, plunging the region into violence that claimed thousands of lives and severely disrupted education, livelihoods, and social cohesion.

Speaking during the event, Kunani emphasized that young people are central to nation-building and warned against neglecting their mentorship and empowerment.

“Youth are the backbone of the nation. If we allow them to lose direction, we risk losing the future of our country. That is why I am encouraged to see young people being mentored and empowered in a special way,” he said.

He urged the youth to embrace education, uphold peace, and reject violence, noting that war is neither beneficial nor an option. Kunani explained that the programme was deliberately scheduled during the long school holiday to maximize youth participation following the break in the school calendar.

As a peace ambassador in schools, Kunani said he was encouraged by the transformation taking place in Mt. Elgon after years of insecurity. He recalled that the violent conflict spearheaded by the SLDF claimed hundreds of lives before the militia was dismantled by the Kenya Defence Forces in 2008.

“We must breathe and speak peace at all times in our schools, in our homes, and in our communities. Peace must be our defining value,” he said, adding that he remains committed to engaging communities and sharing knowledge that improves lives.

Kunani was recently awarded the Head of State Commendation (HSC) in recognition of his contribution to peace-building and is credited with establishing Amani Clubs in several schools across the country.

The event was attended by Chepyuk Assistant Chief Mr. Rodgers Sangulo, alongside officials from Transforming Societies for Social Change.

Mrs. Josephine Chebonya, the principal of Kibuk Girls Secondary School, who applauded organizations working to empower communities and promote peace in Mt. Elgon. She noted that the region has experienced remarkable recovery since the end of the SLDF insurgency.

“The violence disrupted education and livelihoods, but today we are grateful that children can attend school safely and residents can engage in activities that add value to their lives,” she said.