AMANI KIBERA COMMUNITY BASED ORGANIZATION

Amani Kibera was founded in the aftermath of Kenya’s 2007–2008 post-election violence, a period that deeply affected informal settlements like Kibera. The organization emerged from a grassroots initiative led by local youth who were determined to build a more peaceful, cohesive, and empowered community. Witnessing firsthand the destructive impact of political and ethnic tensions, the founders believed that sustainable peace could only be achieved by addressing the root causes of conflict—poverty, lack of opportunities, and youth marginalization—through community-driven action. The core objective of Amani Kibera is to promote sustainable peace and development by empowering communities through a participatory, community-led approach. It seeks to restore social cohesion, enhance civic engagement, and build local capacity for conflict resolution and self- reliance. With a strong focus on youth and gender inclusion, the organization continues to be a key actor in grassroots peace building and has gained national recognition for its leadership role in coordinating peace efforts in Nairobi's informal settlements. Since its establishment, Amani Kibera has worked to create safe spaces for young people, women, and marginalized groups through education, sports, vocational training, peace building, and civic engagement. The organization runs a community library (established in 2011) and a tailoring school (established in 2014), which offer educational and economic empowerment opportunities. Amani Kibera also pioneered the use of sports as a tool for social change in Kibera, starting in 2010, and has remained committed to leveraging football and other recreational activities to foster unity, leadership, and dialogue among youth.