IOSR Journal Of Humanities And Social Science (IOSR-JHSS) Volume 20, Issue 9, Ver. II (Sep. 2015), PP 64-69 e-ISSN: 2279-0837, p-ISSN: 2279-0845. www.iosrjournals.org DOI: 10.9790/0837-20926469 www.iosrjournals.org 64 | Page Interventions Implemented By State and Civil Society in Post Conflict Reconstruction in Kibera and Mathare, Nairobi Kenya after 2007/8 PEV Dennis Nyongesa Wamalwa 1 , Frank Matanga 2 , Kennedy Onkware 3 , 1 (PhD. Candidate; Department of Peace and Conflict Studies, Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, Kenya) 2 (Professor of Political Science; Department of Peace and Conflict Studies, Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, Kenya) 3 (Associate Professor; Department of Emergency Management Studies, Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, Kenya) Abstract: The reconstruction of a broken social and human fabric in a war shattered region has to be geared toward promoting human well-being and social justice, which constitute positive peace. Social empowerment and trust building improve the chances of successful reconstruction. In order to create a sustainable structure for peace, agreements among key stakeholders, leaders and politicians have to reflect the needs and interests of community groups and have to be supported by them. This paper evaluates the intervention programs implemented by the state and civil society towards post conflict reconstruction in Kibera and Mathare slums after the 2007/8 post-election violence in Kenya. Methodologically, the study utilized secondary sources with major emphasis on primary data collection. Keywords: Civil Society, Conflict, post -conflict reconstruction, peace, State I. Introduction The recovery of a fractured community increases its ability to change the dynamics of the cycle of conflict. Peace building ultimately has to focus on problems attributed to original and new sources of serious conflict. Conflict not only destroys buildings but it also affects trust, hope, identity, family, and relationships. The use of post conflict peace building and conflict transformation requires a wide range of actors. Post conflict reconstruction calls for concerted energies from all stakeholders to ensure success particularly, civil society organizations complementing the capacity of the conflict-ridden governments. The government on the other hand must ensure that it creates the enabling environment for civil society groups to thrive. Civil society organizations cover a wide range of organizations that are not for profit, and they include; Non-Governmental Organizations, Community Based Organizations and Faith Based Organizations. Civil Society Organizations have different orientations in terms of the activities they take on. The post conflict reconstruction programs include; Reconciliation programs, psycho-social support, counseling programs, food distribution, rebuilding of destroyed structures, provision of temporary shelter, security, social amenities, resettlements of the affected individuals, and the development of peace committees to reconcile the warring groups. Commenting on the intervention programs in Rwanda after the genocide, Smock (1999) points out that post conflict reconstruction initiatives fostered an appropriate environment for building communal trust in post- genocide context as well as social and economic reintegration. It also results in the development of infrastructure projects (rebuilding roads and schools, electricity), income-generating projects, and capacity building (World Bank, 1999). Such productive, non-political engagement has the potential to gradually encourage conflicting groups to accept one another as members of the same community and restore communication between them, promoting coexistence indirectly and gradually to normalcy. II. Research Methodology 2.1 Research Design The research design for this study was an exploratory comparative design that was undertaken within the study period of 2013-2015. This design was selected essentially in order to draw comparisons between two selected divisions. Further comparisons and interventions were undertaken by CSOs and State in both divisions coupled with challenges experienced.