ALARM Kenya conducted a transformative three-day workshop on Gender, Equality, Reconciliation, and Partnership (GERP) for 60 religious leaders in Kisumu County. Hosted at the PEFA Church in Migosi, the training aimed to equip faith leaders with practical tools and a deeper understanding of gender equality, reconciliation, and partnership—empowering them to be agents of holistic transformation within their families, churches, and communities.
Kisumu County, located in western Kenya along the shores of Lake Victoria, has long experienced recurring political and ethnic conflict, particularly during national election cycles. As an opposition stronghold, the region is often affected by political marginalization, inter-ethnic tensions, corruption, and widespread poverty. These factors, coupled with deeply rooted patriarchal systems, make the region especially vulnerable to social injustice and gender-based discrimination. In such a context, religious leaders play a critical role as influencers and peacemakers within the community, and the GERP workshop arrived at a crucial time to support them in this mission.
The workshop brought together 60 participants, including 9 Bishops and leaders from 30 different churches, along with two Muslim leaders—a female secretary from the National Muslim Leaders’ Forum and a male journalist from Peace FM. The group included 14 women and 46 men, reflecting the current gender imbalance in leadership but also symbolizing the first steps toward greater inclusivity. The diverse, interfaith composition of the cohort contributed to a rich exchange of ideas and perspectives. Importantly, the event also created an opportunity for reconciliation between two previously divided clergy groups: the Kisumu County Clergy Fellowship and the Kisumu Pastors Fellowship. This unexpected but impactful outcome underscores the broader peacebuilding potential of ALARM’s initiatives.
Facilitated by ALARM staff Felistus Musila and Fidelis Karanja, the training focused on several key objectives: providing a clear understanding of gender equality and equity within a Biblical framework; exploring the social constructs that shape gender roles and relations; raising awareness about the root causes and consequences of gender-based violence (GBV); and strengthening leadership capacity for peacebuilding and community transformation. Using interactive methods such as group discussions, case studies, and Q&A sessions, participants were engaged in deep reflection on their personal and institutional roles in perpetuating or addressing inequality.
Several critical insights emerged during the workshop. Participants acknowledged that in Kisumu County, cultural norms and patriarchal structures continue to undermine gender equality. Male children are often valued more highly than female children, with boys named after heroic figures and given affirming messages about leadership from an early age. Decision-making in families, churches, and community projects remains largely male-dominated, and women’s voices are frequently excluded from leadership roles. Practices such as wife inheritance and restrictions on land ownership for women further entrench inequality. The training also revealed widespread misconceptions among faith leaders—many still associate gender equality with feminism, perceiving it as a threat rather than an opportunity for collective flourishing.
Despite these challenges, the workshop sparked important shifts in perspective. Participants expressed a strong desire for continued engagement and deeper understanding, especially regarding the Biblical foundations for gender equality and the role of faith leaders in conflict resolution and reconciliation. The fact that clergy from rival groups were able to come together and interact peacefully was itself a powerful testament to the impact of the training.
As ALARM Kenya continues to respond to the region’s needs, there is a clear call for ongoing capacity-building in gender awareness, peacebuilding, and servant leadership. With the continued support of donors and partners, ALARM can expand the reach of this life-changing work to other conflict-prone regions across East Africa. Each training session equips leaders not only with knowledge but also with the courage and conviction to bring about lasting change in their communities.
Together, we can transform lives—one leader, one church, one community at a time.
