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This report assesses the role and effectiveness of community peace accords in seven Kenyan counties: Tana River, Garissa, Isiolo, Marsabit, Mandera, Wajir, and Turkana. It examines the transition from top-down, state-led agreements to community-led processes, highlighting that sustainable peace depends on local ownership, inclusive design, and the integration of traditional customs. The study identifies key drivers of conflict, including resource scarcity, historical marginalisation, and political competition under devolution, while providing policy recommendations to improve the coordination, funding, and legal frameworks supporting these accords.

This research paper examines the impact of COVID-19 lockdown measures on Kenya's informal sector and the resulting strain on the country's fiscal social contract. The authors argue that a lack of fiscal legitimacy, driven by corruption and poor service delivery in healthcare, discourages the informal sector from participating in direct taxation, while government fiscal relief measures primarily benefited formal taxpayers.

This report by the Institute for Security Studies examines the evolution of countering violent extremism (CVE) in Kenya, moving from primarily military-based responses to a multi-sectoral approach. It evaluates the experiences of state and non-state actors, the implementation of the National Strategy to Counter Violent Extremism (NSCVE), and the development of County Action Plans (CAPs) in high-risk regions.

This case study describes the experience of Edward Ndolo, a retired police officer in Kitui, Kenya, who implemented road water harvesting on his 3-acre farm to combat low rainfall and climate change. By diverting road runoff through a channel—including one crossing a neighbor's land—Ndolo has increased his agricultural productivity and profitability compared to neighboring farmers who do not use the technique.

This report by the Institute for Security Studies examines the internal displacement of pastoralist communities in northern Kenya, highlighting a significant gap in protection and assistance compared to other regions of the country. It analyzes the complex drivers of displacement—including colonial legacies, violence, human rights abuses, and climate factors—and argues that current responses are largely inadequate, short-term, and uncoordinated.

This report by the Institute for Security Studies analyzes projects aimed at preventing and countering violent extremism (P/CVE) in Central, East, and West Africa. It identifies critical gaps in funding duration, monitoring and evaluation (M&E) capacity, and the potential for P/CVE labeling to stigmatize target communities, while suggesting a shift toward longer-term funding and greater African state ownership.

This case study examines Energy Safety Nets (ESNs) in Kenya, analyzing government-led initiatives designed to make modern energy services affordable for poor and vulnerable populations. It reviews electricity access programs, clean cooking initiatives, and the broader national social protection framework to identify opportunities for integrating energy access into existing social safety nets.