Final Evaluation Report: Kwa Pamoja Tuzuie Balaa in Garissa and Lamu

Search for Common Ground (Search) in partnership with Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), Ijara Women for Peace (IJW) and Kiunga Youth Bunge Initiative (KYBI), implemented a project focused on building trust and linkages between community members and government security actors. The overall objective of the Kwa Pamoja Tuzuie Balaa project is to empower community leaders and relevant government counterparts to jointly address issues of radicalization and terrorist recruitment in at-risk areas of Lamu and Garissa Counties. The project was implemented over the period of 42 months from October 2020 to March 2024 and financed by the United States Embassy, Nairobi.

In order to measure impact, this study is aligned with the Peace Impact Framework (PIF), which explores five elements* for healthy societies. This study assesses the Agency and polarization elements of the PIF. Impact in these areas is measured in relation to the OECD-DAC criteria of relevance, effectiveness, impact, and sustainability and used the project baseline data to assess change over time.

The evaluation sample for the Kwa Pamoja Tuzuie Balaa Project was calculated using a formula adapted from the baseline survey and derived from Kothari.
The evaluation employed a multistage sampling procedure involving clustered and stratified sampling methods to select respondents. Study sites in Lamu (Witu, Hindi, Majembeni, Kibaoni, Lamu Island, and Kiunga) and Garissa (Masalani, Hagadera, borehole 5, and Garissa town) counties served as location clusters, from which participants and non-participants were randomly recruited. In the qualitative stage, sampling began purposively, based on existing knowledge and perceptions within the context. Key respondents were selected for in-depth inquiry, aiming to illuminate the project’s experience. The quantitative part utilized targeted project participants outlined in the project proposal and non-participants. The scope of the study includes focus group discussions, individual interviews, outcome harvesting and a survey, reaching a total of 597 participants.

KEY FINDINGS.

AGENCY:

• 90% of engaged community members feel confident in their ability to take action against VE in their communities. This confidence level varies slightly between genders, with 89% of females and 91% of males expressing confidence. This is a strong indicator of a community’s resilience and proactive stance against VE.
• 89% of women in targeted communities believe that they are equipped to play a role in preventing VE.
• 90% of engaged community members feel confident in their ability to take action to reduce the threat of VE in their communities.
• 95 of community members report the project’s activities enhanced their confidence and capacity to address and prevent VE within their households or relatives’ households

POLARISATION:

• 74% of targeted community and government leaders report an increase in mutual trust after participating in the project. Among them, 70% are female and 78% are male. This suggests that the project was effective across different demographics, which is a promising sign for its overall impact and potential for fostering collaborative relationships.
• 75% of targeted community stakeholders believe the project has created the space to make their voices and concerns related to the threat of VE heard by relevant government counterparts.
• 85% of civilian government security actors feel that communities are partners in their effort to transform VE.
• 81.5% of civilian government security actors are able to provide examples of how communities have emerged as partners.
• 86.4% (Lamu 85.2%, Garissa 87.5%) of community members are aware of community-based platforms for raising VE awareness in their communities
• 55.6% of community members report having access to a platform for support on VE-related issues.(50% of female and 59% of male), particularly those supported by the project.

The project’s comprehensive approach, inclusive of diverse stakeholders, government security actors, and community members, has led to tangible improvements in awareness, collaboration, and trust between communities and government security actors. Notably, the project has empowered community influencers, at-risk groups, particularly women, youth, and persons with disabilities, to actively participate in VE prevention efforts. Additionally, the project has effectively responded to implementation challenges through safeguarding measures, ensuring the safety and well-being of all involved. These achievements underscore the project’s positive impact on enhancing community resilience against VE and encouraging sustainable partnerships for long-term prevention strategies.