| dc.description.abstract | Conflicts necessitate peace building more than ever before in the history of humanity. The main purpose of this study was to interrogate the contribution of the Catholic Church in peace building challenges in Kenya, with reference to Kakamega County. Specific objectives of the study were to: examine the involvement of the Catholic Church in peace building in Kakamega of Kenya before 2007; assess the Catholic Church’s peace building strategies in Kakamega County since PEV of 2007; and evaluate the challenges facing the Catholic Church in her contribution towards peace building in Kakamega County. The justification for this study is that there are various studies done on Kakamega County but hardly have they dwelt on the management of conflicts and particularly the contribution of the Catholic Church. This is a major gap that this study seeks to fill. The research was guided by two theories: Functionalism theory by Emile Durkheim which stresses social solidarity and structural peace theory by [1]. These two theories guided the development of the conceptual model for this study. This research systematically handled the research problem by embracing descriptive/survey design. The descriptive design utilizes the strength of both qualitative and quantitative research. Questionnaires, interviews and observation methods were used to collect primary data while secondary data was obtained through document analysis and internet sources. The research targeted 400 respondents who included 12 clergies, 384 laities, two NGOs and two government officials. Both probability and non-probability sampling techniques were used. A pilot study was carried out to establish the reliability and validity of the instruments. The data collected was coded and arranged in themes in relation to the objectives and the findings were then analysed using SPSS. The findings were then presented using tables, pie charts, maps, figures and thematic narrative technique based on the objectives of the study. Notwithstanding the challenge of ethnicity and corruption, the church has done a commendable contribution in peace building. The main finding from the study is that, peace building in the Catholic Church in Kakamega County is more than addressing direct violence. Instead, the church takes a holistic approach and multi-pronged strategies to peace building. Apart from adding unto the existing knowledge, on the contribution of the Catholic Church on peace building, this study would also be of benefit to policy makers, academicians and the Catholic Church in Kakamega as well as in Kenya at large. It is hoped that the findings will help the church to re-evaluate and improve on her peace-building strategies. The key recommendations of the study is that; the church has to intensify its strategies of peace building, to intervene in the conflicts in the sugar industry within the region and reach out to a myriad of groups which are more vulnerable to manipulation by the political class. The church has to also incorporate traditional peace building strategies which may have eroded during the colonial era. | en_US |
