Kenyan slum dwellers vow to rebuild shattered communities and restore peace

Kenyan slum dwellers whose homes and livelihoods were destroyed in recent violence are calling for international help to support their local peace initiatives and plans to rebuild the devastated communities.

Hundreds of people were murdered following the recent election and thousands more have been forced to flee to camps. The recent violence was concentrated in Kenya's urban slums, where many houses and shops were burnt to the ground.

Although widely reported as an inter-ethnic dispute, it is poverty and politics that lie at the heart of the violence.

"The election dispute only provided an outlet for deeper societal problems," says Jane Weru, executive director of Pamoja Trust, which works with the Kenyan slum dwellers federation - Muungano wa Wanavijiji - to improve housing and infrastructure.

"High levels of poverty expose poor populations to political manipulation," she says. "As long as the majority of Kenya's urban populations live in slums, and in poverty, the values of peace and democracy will always be threatened."

Local community groups in some of Kenya's biggest slums have signed a joined statement calling for peace and reconstruction, and have embarked on local initiatives aimed at healing the divided communities who have for so long lived in close interdependence.

"The solution to the problem bedevilling us will only be found among ourselves," says the statement. "We are therefore requesting support from the government, political parties and peer leaders to make this process a success."

The statement expresses concern that during the turmoil, "we were only hearing the voices of the politicians who have to a great extent been the instigators of this violence." It calls on the media to ensure that the voices of those living in informal settlements are given more space and prominence.

The Pamoja Trust is a long-term partner of both the International Institute for Environment and Development and Homeless International, which has launched an appeal to provide slum dwellers with resources to rebuild their homes and livelihoods.

Larry English, chief executive of Homeless International says: "This conflict is not ethnic, but political and economic. It is the poor and vulnerable that suffer in these situations. It is their homes and livelihoods that have been destroyed.

The community-led organisations we have supported in Kenya for many years are well-organised, non-partisan and non-ethnic and have an incredible track record in improving the livelihoods and living conditions of the urban poor. It's their great work that is being undone and they need our immediate support. We intend supporting them and we appeal for you to support us."

Disbursements for house and business reconstruction can be made to the victims through existing networks - approximately £78 (US$150) per house will be given. Through providing such resources, Homeless International can enable displaced slum households to re-build their structures and leave the relief camps where most are currently situated.

Homeless International also plans to provide livelihood opportunity relief - targeted at enabling the affected people within the slums to re-start or recover their livelihood activities. Loans of approximately £39 (US$80) per house will be given and tracked through existing community savings groups.