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INTER-RELIGIOUS COUNCIL OF KENYA

Kenya Interfaith Rapid Response Initiative (KIRRI)

By Francis Kuria

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Brief Background of IRCK

IRCK is a multi-religious partnership that mobilizes the moral and social resources of religious people to address shared concerns.

Founded by top leadership from the Catholic, Protestant, Muslim and Hindu communities in Kenya who subscribed and signed its founding constitution.

Has key programs in Peace, Governance, Environment and Health

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1. Open forum approach to build trust among the different faiths

2. Deep-reach intervention through direct collaboration with faith partners

3. Informed intervention based on thorough research and analysis

4. Complementary and networked partnership, in which we actively reach out to other players, with shared cause, through projects and programs

Our Overall strategy

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Faith Communities in Kenya Christian

Catholic Protestant Christian

NCCK EAK OAIC SDA

Muslim Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims National Muslim Leaders Forum Shia Ithnasharia Muslim Association

Hindu Hindu Council of Kenya – incorporates Sikh Council

Structures of IRCK Steering Board – is the mandate body and is

composed of the top religious leadership Executive Committee is the policy organ and

is composed of the Secretary Generals of the represented faith communities

Standing Commissions for Peace, Governance & National Cohesion, Environment and Health

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Sub-structures

Kenya Women of Faith Network – composed of apex women of faith bodies (e.g. Catholic Women Association, Women’s Guild, Mothers Union, Muslim Sisters Network etc)

Kenya Interfaith Youth Network – Youth leaders representatives from RCBs

Local Interfaith Networks – 31 local networks. 16 yet to be formed to cover whole country

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Context of Rapid Response Bomb and gun attacks on two churches in

Garissa in 2012 required IRCK to respond Rising interfaith tensions since those attacks as

al Shabaab has targeted Christians to drive wedge between faiths

There have been riots at the Coast where several churches were ransacked and some burnt following killing of Muslim clerics

Inter-ethnic clashes in several areas have caused deep concern and a call on religious leaders to cool national temperatures

The Initiative Has eight major steps Is a 24-hours response mechanism Requires commitment of religious leaders Is connected to the extensive network of faith

communities, LIFN and their congregations for information

Is a process to address an emergency, gather information, stop escalation of conflicts and pave way for reconciliation work

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The Approach The Initiative aims to address major incidents

of conflicts Conflicts with religious elements are given

specific attention Maximization of consensus, respect, honour

and involvement of faith communities Must ensure integrity of process and results,

minimizes competition, use of resources efficiently

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Principles

Shared Interfaith Response Top Leadership Commitment Scalable, flexible and adaptable to

operational capabilities Unified leadership and command Readiness to act

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KIRRI Structures At RCB level – Rapid Response

Desk/Contact Person At IRCK Secretariat – Rapid Response

Unit At Steering Level – Religious Leaders

Oversight Team (RELOT) At Custodian level – National Response

Council of Religious Elders (RECORE)

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Religious Leaders’ Oversight Team

(RELOT)

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Kenya Interfaith Rapid Response Unit

Regional RCBrepresentatives/LIFN

Religious Coordinating Bodies

Response Desk

NSC

and other National partners

in Peace building

National Response Council of Religious Leaders

(NACORE)

Rapid Response Structure

Response Process Flow Incident Declaration – 0 hour Conflict Incident Brief – by RRU within 2

hours – convenes (physical or virtual) the RELOT

Response Plan Approval within 4 hours – convenes the NACORE and repairs press statement

Public action - within 6 hours releases press statement and commissions Field Mission

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Flow cont’d Field mission – starts within 12 hours and

arrives at conflict incident scene with 24 hours. Files Field Mission Brief in 36 hours

Cessation of hostilities – aim that within 48 hours there is negotiated end of hostilities with communities

Initiation of Reconciliation – within 7 days Conclusion of response – within 14 days full

report and handover strategy

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Achievements so far Has responded to 5 major incidents so far

– MombasaSamburu– Turkana-Pokot – Tana River– Garissa

Deep appreciation by faith leaders and community members by the response and initiation of reconciliation

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Challenges Huge sacrifice especially by IRCK staff who have

to be on call 24/7 – Sustainability a big challenge Cost of the field missions can be huge in a non-

funded situation. So far only two field missions were funded.

Requires discretionary funding which most donors will not accept

Connection with other stakeholders – National Cohesion and Integration Commission imperfect – two teams on ground creates competition

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Way Forward

Linkage with National Steering Committee on Peace Building for inclusion in the Uwiano/Ushahidi Platform

Linkage with the Centre for Early Warning and Response Unit/CEWARN (Interior Ministry/IGAD/AU)

Better training for the Response Teams Better funding for the Initiative

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Thank youThank you