Islam and Multi-Sectoral Partnership in National Cohesion and Integration in Kenya

International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume III, Issue VII, July 2019 | ISSN 2454–6186

Islam and Multi-Sectoral Partnership in National Cohesion and Integration in Kenya

Dr. Michael G. Mwangi, Dr. Janet N. Kassilly and Dr. Nicholas K. Ombachi

Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, Kenya

Abstract: – This paper was on the study of Islam and her partnership with other players in promotion of national cohesion and integration in Kenya. Social divisions have remained a key challenge in the Country and various players have come in to address the problem. Ethnic tensions which are mostly politically fueled have remained real even on the aftermath of the 2007 Post Election Violence. National cohesion and integration have since therefore become an area of interest both at government and civic levels. Yet owing to the complexity of the task, partnership between various players is critical. From the study it was established that some level of partnership exists between Islam and other actors, including the church and the state organs such as the Provincial Administration. However, this partnership was discovered to be very limited in addition to only being active during crisis.

Key Words: Multi-Sectoral Partnership; Cohesion and Integration; State Actors; Non-State Actors

I. BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY

National cohesion and integration have been an area of interest both at the government and civic levels in Kenya. This interest was largely rekindled following the 2007/2008 Post Election Violence (PEV). To a certain degree, the effects of violence is still being felt across the country in some ways. It is true that a just and cohesive society is a key ingredient of Kenya Vision 2030 (GoK, 2007). Sessional Paper No. 2 of 2012 on the national policy on cohesion and integration was drafted as a way of showing the centrality of a cohesive and integrated Kenyan society for viable socio-economic development. The purpose of the said policy was to ensure that Kenya becomes an equitable society which is politically, economically and socially cohesive and integrated with the citizens having a shared vision and sense of belonging while appreciating diversity (NCIC, 2014). The Jubilee government that has been in power since March 2013 had one pillar of its manifesto being national cohesion, whereby the coalition would work hard to end ethnic tensions and rivalry and unite all citizens (Jubilee Manifesto, 2013; Masara, 2014). Sadly, there is nothing much which has been achieved in this regard as Kenyans continues to experience division along social lines.

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