Kenya has reaffirmed its commitment to regional peacebuilding by supporting the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and its Council of Eminent Personalities in advancing stability across the Horn of Africa. During the IGAD Regional Forum for Eminent Personalities and Leaders for Peace held in Nairobi on Thursday, Kenyan leaders emphasized the importance of inclusive dialogue, particularly the involvement of women and youth in peace processes.
Gender, Children, and Social Protection Cabinet Secretary Hannah Cheptumo, who represented Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, urged IGAD to adopt a bold new initiative focused on embedding women and youth at the heart of peacebuilding efforts. She stressed that these groups are essential agents of preventive diplomacy and must be included in mediation and reconciliation processes.
“In our IGAD region, conflict has fractured families, displaced communities, and eroded hope,” said Cheptumo. “Yet throughout our history, women and young people have consistently emerged as agents of preventive diplomacy.”
Cheptumo highlighted Kenya’s own progress on gender inclusivity, citing the 2019 National Policy on Gender and Development and the constitutional two-thirds gender rule. She also referenced legal protections such as the Protection Against Domestic Violence Act and the Sexual Offences Act as frameworks promoting gender justice.
She proposed a regional framework to create a diverse roster of trained mediators including women, youth, and elders who would be mentored and equipped with skills in negotiation, trauma-informed facilitation, and psychosocial support.
Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’Oei, representing Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, noted the Horn of Africa faces complex, interconnected crises—ranging from conflict and insecurity to humanitarian disasters worsened by climate change. He emphasized that traditional diplomacy alone is insufficient.
“The role of Eminent Personalities is critical,” he said. “They are trusted interlocutors, uniquely positioned to mediate, build confidence, and encourage dialogue.”
Sing’Oei called for a clear operational framework for IGAD’s Council of Eminent Personalities, stressing that sustainable peace must tackle root causes such as inequality and exclusion.
Kenya pledged continued support for IGAD’s peace initiatives, asserting that peace is the foundation for regional development and economic integration.
