Biruri, a RefuSHE Peace Ambassador, Promotes Peaceful Coexistence between Refugees and Local Kenyans

Biruri, 30, is a refugee from the Democratic Republic of Congo who participated in RefuSHE’s Peacebuilding and Conflict Transformation training, supported by Civil Peace Service of the German Corporation for International Cooperation (CPS of GIZ).

Reflecting on his journey, Biruri shares: “Before the training, I often found myself at a standstill when trying to resolve conflicts. I didn’t understand the stages of conflict or how to do proper mapping. I relied only on my own knowledge and would hit roadblocks again and again. Sometimes I even got involved in criminal cases without realizing these should be handled by the authorities.”

Since completing the training, Biruri has applied his new skills to address complex disputes in his community. One such case involved a family conflict over child custody. Using conflict mapping, he identified all the actors involved and connected the family with organizations that could guide them through the legal process. Noticing how deeply the children were affected, he also referred them to an organization offering therapy. “The family is now receiving the help they need, and I could not have done this without the skills I gained,” he says.

Biruri also highlights the role of cultural norms in shaping disputes. “This training is helping us see how harmful practices often make conflicts worse,” he explains. He has since become an advocate for nonviolence and coexistence, regularly reminding fellow refugees that peace is the foundation for better livelihoods.

In 2025, under the mentorship of CPS advisors, RefuSHE launched the Peacebuilding and Conflict Transformation program, facilitating eight community workshops that trained 172 refugee leaders (152 women and 20 men) in dialogue, negotiation, and conflict resolution. Post-training evaluations confirmed that 94% of the trainees demonstrated confidence in applying peacebuilding principles in conflict transformation methods while  handling interpersonal conflicts, varying from business related conflicts, family conflicts, and domestic disagreement in their immediate communities. 

Last week, RefuSHE kicked off the second year of this program, in partnership with CPS of GIZ. Leveraging the strong relationships we've built with local leaders in the participating communities, in 2026 we aim to formally integrate 20 trained refugee leaders - aka Refugee Peace Ambassadors - into their local government-led Peace Steering Committee. The inclusion of refugees within these existing structures will further build social cohesion with host communities and amplify refugee voices in critical community dialogues. 

“I always tell my community that peace is the key to prosperity,” Biruri says. “When we coexist well with the host community, we can do business freely, sell to everyone regardless of ethnicity, and improve our lives. Peace opens doors.”

For Biruri, peacebuilding is not just about resolving disputes—it is about healing families, strengthening communities, and creating opportunities for refugees to thrive.