On 23^rd March 2022, Mkenya Daima Initiative led by the Chairperson, Dr Vimal Shah participated in the launch of a report detailing the role of private sector in peace-building at Heron Portico Hotel. The peace and conflict report, titled Mobilising the private sector for peace: The role of private sector actors in peace and conflict dynamics in Kenya and Somalia, is intended as a contribution to the development of policy and peace-building strategies involving the private sector in the Horn of Africa. The report is based on a Peace and Conflict Analysis (PCA) conducted in Kenya and Somalia by International Alert, with support from the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The launch was attended by Country Director, International Alert/ Horn of Africa, Rabindra Gurung; Somalia Deputy Head of Mission, Ms. Laurie Visser; Senior Project Officer-International Alert, Mr Franklin Opuko; Peacebuilding Private Sector Engagement Advisor, Priscillah Ateyo; Members of the diplomatic corps, various peace-building organisations and members of the fourth estate.

The report will be of interest to international donor agencies, local and international peacebuilders, and their partners working in the Horn. It may also be understood as a contribution to understanding the role of the private sector in fragile and conflict-affected settings more broadly, and it may therefore be of interest to actors concerned with these issues in other regions.

Mr Rabindra introduced the session by highlighting how the organisation he represents has been working towards sustainable and inclusive peace alluding to their peace-building initiatives in Sri Lanka and Nepal. Mr Rabindra also emphasised that the private sector cannot miss in the peace conversation.

Somalia Deputy Head of Mission, Ms Laurie Visser noted that Dutch Ministry has been actively pursuing the Sustainable Development Goal 3, regarding “Good Health and Well-being, noting that that can only be possible in a conflict-free environment. While noting the critical role the private sector has played in peace-building, Ms Laurie asserted that that Kenya and Somalia have innumerable investment opportunities for anyone willing to invest. She also hinted that the Netherlands’ Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation will be visiting the Kenya soon on a development agenda mission.

Dr Vimal in his address introduced Mkenya Daima and its origins noting how the private sector through umbrella body KEPSA and like-minded sector partners came together for a common cause, Peace. Dr Vimal noted that the cost of conflict is too high for any country to bear and the private sector led by KEPSA has opted to be pro-active rather than reactive when addressing conflict and justice. Dr Vimal while highlighting the pillars of Mkenya Daima pointed out how they are currently sensitising Kenyans to interrogate manifestos from all candidates running for office in the runup to elections. He noted that the initiative has banked on the energy of the youth to drive the peace message noting a few successes as the some of the first Mkenya Daima initiates are currently running for office.

Before the official launch, Dr Vimal joined Ms Ateyo in a panel discussion where they tackled questions from the audience on the role of the private sector in peace-building. The duo especially noted that most conflict has its roots in economic strife and if this trigger is addressed peace is easier to achieve. The panellists also urged the audience, especially the delegation from Somalia, to learn from past experiences of peace conscious bodies especially the evolution of KEPSA that has managed to maintain a clear line between private and public sectors. Mr Vimal concluded the plenary session by urging all stakeholders to join peace campaign because peace is a legacy worth investing in and passing on to our progeny as inheritance.

Senior Project Officer-International Alert, Mr Franklin Opuko explained that the policy research was conducted in Nairobi, Turkana and West Pokot as well as virtually with Mogadishu respondents. Sharing key findings, he noted that the private sector has engaged in a range of activities intended to build peace or support peace agreements or negotiations. This has happened in several ways including providing logistical and financial support to peace negotiations as well as directly participating in mediation of warring parties giving the example how the Turkana Chamber of commerce helped negotiate for a peace corridor between the Pokot and Turkana. Public campaigns like Mkenya Daima, Mr Franklin added, have also aided in violence prevention efforts.

Of concern, Mr Franklin also noted that there is ample evidence of private sector engaging directly in activities that are violent, or that drive and/or sustain conflict and violence. This, he noted, includes participating in bribery and extortion as well as engaging or inciting others to violence for commercial advantage in the market place. Others, he said, participate in value chains that depend at least in part on violence while others occupy economic niches created by conflict. Some of the recommendations for the business community the policy brief recommends include:

• Business actors should proactively engage in consultative processes with key stakeholders, i.e. government, civil society etc., on local and national peace-building issues and make deliberate efforts to be part of governance, peace-building, security, and conflict prevention strategies.
• The private sector should strongly advocate for the rule of law, accountability, and transparency and constructively engage with policymakers, security actors and communities to contribute to good governance and improve state-citizen relationships. This would help address current perceptions of business actors being complicit in poor governance and conflict issues.

In fragile contexts such as Somalia, business actors operate largely without coordination which weakens their capacity to safeguard their legitimate interests and contribute for peace and stability. Therefore, business actors should consider opportunities to establish networks or associations to better organise the sector and improve coordination to raise collective voices in support of a business-conducive environment.