Fr. Mariano Tibaldo is the new Secretary General for evangelisation at the Comboni “Curia Generalizia” in Rome. He concluded his term of service as Provincial Superior in Kenya on December 31st, 2010, and was called to Rome for the new appointment.

OTHER PROVINCIAL ACTIVITIES.

THE YOUTH UNITED FOR PEACE IN KENYA

Youth United for Peace in Kenya (YUPK) is an initiative of the Religious Superiors Council of Kenya (RSCK). It was initiated to address the effects of the post election violence and to build reconciliation and forgiveness in Kenya.
After the signing of the national peace accord by President Mwai Kibaki and the Prime Minister Raila Odinga, the RSCK realised that the communities affected by the violence were very reluctant to work together. The most affected by the violence were the youth who had been used by the politicians for their political aims, and then abandoned to themselves to face the consequences of their actions. They had killed their neighbours, raped women, destroyed properties of those who had been branded “aliens” and condemned to be evicted from their land.

The YUPK was set up to be of help to the youth in the aftermath of the traumatic experience of post election violence. The initiative was taken on behalf of the RSCK by the Comboni Missionaries, the Consolata missionaries, Guadalupe Missionaries and Missionaries of Africa.
The YUPK reached out to, and incorporated other community based organisations, such as Zindua African, Kibera empowerment programme, Guadalupe Parish Youth, Christ the King Catholic Church, St. Joseph the worker, Kibera performing Arts, Africa Peace Point, Kutoka Network, Kibera Initiative Programme.  
The YUPK focused its attention on the Rift Valley province where the situation, for a long time (and even now) remained volatile with ethnic tensions which do not spare any section of the population, pastors and priests alike. Kikuyu, Kisiis and Kalenjins do not live together in peace. They do not even get their supplies at the same shops and do not accept Priests who do not belong to their own ethnic group. The youth, often seen as criminals, are abandoned to themselves, and are not given any chance of presenting their point, asking for forgiveness and being reconciled with the victims.

YUPK and Catholic Dioceses partnership. To reach the Youth, the YUPK searched for the blessing and the backing of Rt. Rev.Philip Anyolo Bishop of Homa Bay and Administrator of  Nakuru and the Bishops of  Kericho, Rt. Rev. Emmanuel Okombo, and of Eldoret, Rt. Rev. Cornelius K. Arap Korir,  who made the premises of the Catholic Church available for encounters  and reconciliation works in the ethnic hot spots of the rift Valley. Different communities have been engaged in community building initiatives, interfaith dialogue forums to foster the process of healing, reconciliation, and the ability to co-exist peacefully.

Successes and Challenges. The YUPK initiatives and the activities are bearing some fruits. People who have been bitter enemies since 2007 have shaken hands and started speaking to each other. Certain community perceptions are challenged and changed. Peace is perceived as a value that benefits all.
Tension in the coalition government is also a challenge. It affects the relationship at the grass root levels.