Youth Empowerment and Reported Participation in Peacebuilding Initiatives in Garissa Township Sub-County, Kenya

This descriptive mixed-methods study examined youth empowerment and self-reported participation in peacebuilding initiatives in Garissa Township Sub-County, Kenya. Empowerment theory and conflict transformation theory informed the conceptual framing. A purposively identified group comprising 100 young adults aged 18–35 years and 15 key informants was invited to participate; 88 questionnaires were returned (88.0%), and 14 key informants were interviewed. Questionnaire responses were summarised descriptively using SPSS version 26, and interviews were analysed thematically. Among respondents, 82 of 88 (93.2%) reported current involvement in peacebuilding, 71 (80.7%) rated their civic knowledge and peacebuilding skills as moderate or higher, and 60 (68.2%) perceived empowerment programmes as making at least a moderate contribution to their capacity to participate. Peace education campaigns, mediation, policy advocacy and youth peace organisations were frequently reported activities; 68 respondents (77.3%) considered youth-led initiatives effective or very effective. Livelihood support and youth peace committees were each endorsed by 81 respondents (92.0%) as potentially useful strategies. Interviewees described training, income opportunities, civic education and dialogue as complementary forms of support. The findings characterise the perspectives of a non-probability sample and do not establish programme effects or improvements in peace outcomes. Integrated skills, civic participation opportunities and livelihood support merit further assessment through stronger evaluative designs.