It has been 18 months of strengthening collaboration between Multi-faith and Cross-generational local structures such as coalitions, youth and women networks to debunk stereotypes and harmful practices that undermine the Freedom of Religion and Belief, as well as promoting rights based approaches and early warning to preventing human rights violations in the county. Today Marks the Close Out Event in Tana Delta for Together for Religious Freedoms #ToFORB project that we are partnering with @SFCG_Kenya Communities have been able to identify dividers and connectors and utilized the common ground approach to follow up and resolve local conflicts that deepen community division and stir mistrust between them and law enforcement. There is increased collaboration between law enforcement and faith actors in enhancing local security through supporting disarmament processes, improving transition of learners in higher grades in school, improved access to Identity cards for Youth and the compensation of communities affected by human wildlife interactions. Community priorities have been collated in to policy briefs that have informed ongoing local and national lobby and advocacy efforts for enhancing freedom of Religion and Belief.

Muslim and Christian leaders have come together to form an interfaith network in #tarasaa sub-county, where they work together with youth, women, and PWDs to promote tolerance, dialogue, and social harmony. Thanks to @SFCG_Kenya and #TOFORB project. Youth are now more engaged in peacebuilding, cultural preservation, and early warning reporting on violent extremism, supported by stronger trust between communities and security agencies. Faith institutions are also opening up spaces for young people in mosques and churches, strengthening their leadership roles and positive influence. These efforts are building safer, more united communities and reducing vulnerability to violent extremism in Tana River.

Powerful transformations are being witnessed in Tarasaa through the #ToFORB Project supported by @SFCG_Kenya. Women are no longer silent victims but they are now leaders, peace champions, and active partners with security agencies in combating SGBV, promoting accountability, and advocating for the human rights for all. Their voices are shaping safer, more inclusive, and united communities where rights, dignity, and coexistence are protected for all.

In Lamu, youth, women & leaders came together through MUHURI’s #TOFORB to confront extremism, strengthen community resilience, and connect citizens with National Counter Terrorism Center & Kenya National Commission on Human Rights. With @SFCG_Kenya #HumanRights

Dr. Noor Dahir, our Executive Director, joined a powerful and timely dialogue at the TOFORB (Together for the Freedom of Religion and Belief) Project organized by Muslims for Human Rights (MUHURI) — a gathering that united youth, women, and community leaders under one shared purpose: strengthening unity, justice, and resilience. Throughout the day, participants confronted a critical truth—while our religious expressions may differ, our aspirations for dignity, safety, and justice are deeply aligned. This space allowed for honest, sometimes difficult conversations about the growing threat of violent extremism and radicalization—forces that are not only destabilizing communities globally but are also increasingly affecting families and livelihoods in Lamu. Importantly, the conversation moved beyond awareness into action. Communities were equipped with practical pathways to respond—through direct engagement with institutions like the National Counter Terrorism Centre - Kenya (@NCTC_Kenya ) and the Kenya National Commision on Human Rights(@HakiKNCHR ). This connection ensures that citizens are not isolated in the face of these threats, but instead are supported by systems meant to protect them. This is what meaningful community engagement looks like—where security and human rights are not opposing forces, but partners in building sustainable peace. Together, we are reclaiming our narrative, strengthening our communities, and ensuring that no one is left behind. In partnership with @SFCG_Kenya , we continue to champion dialogue, inclusion, and collective action. #humanrights #FreedomOfExpression #CounterTerrorism

Lamu belongs to all of us, and we are refusing to let different beliefs become a source of division. And that's why this Monday, we brought together youth, women, and community leaders to get serious about the TOFORB Project- Together for the Freedom of Religion and Belief. 1/

In Tana River, Education stakeholders convened under the Together for Religious Freedoms (ToFORB) Project with support from @SFCG_Kenya have discussed Policy recommendations for enhancing Freedom of Religion and Belief in the Education sector Deliberations explored strategies for harmonizing School Uniforms with religious attire such as the Hijab, equipping learning institutions with spaces and amenities for expressing religious practices such as prayers, eradication of stereotypes and prejudice and enhancing recruitment of Teachers Religious Education Stakeholders reinforced the need for balanced allocation of bursaries for all learners. Compliant handling procedures were highlighted by the @KenyasOmbudsman. A joint communique on the resolution was developed and issued to duty bearers and the media

@KECOSCE is documenting key achievements of the #ToFoRB project @SFCG_Kenya through Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) and Key Informant Interviews (KIIs), engaging youth, religious leaders, and state actors to capture real stories of change on Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB), collaboration, and community resilience. The project has made significant strides in empowering stakeholders with skills to report and address FoRB issues, strengthening multi-faith coalitions, and enhancing trust and collaboration between communities, security, and justice actors. These conversations also highlight increased awareness of FoRB rights, respect for diversity, and a growing commitment to peaceful coexistence. #ToFoRB #FoRB #Peacebuilding #EWER #TanaRiver

The Africa Inland Church AIC, with support from Search for Common Ground through the ToFoRB Project, held an interreligious workshop on conflict sensitivity and FORB in Garissa.

The session marked an important step toward building stronger relationships among faith leaders and fostering a more united, peaceful community. #ToForB #WeAreHere

In 1993 and 33 Years Ago, #BeavisAndButthead premiered on @MTV on this day RT and Like if you love this show. (@MikeJudge, #TracyGrandstaff, @ToforB, #AbbyTerkuhle, @TitmouseInc)

Last week on 20 and 21 February, we pitched tents in Garissa. Led by our Executive Director Kassim Wallid, we gathered religious leaders from across the faith spectrum under our Together for Freedom of Religious Belief (#ToForb) program. The room brought together leaders 1/

@KECOSCE ,with support of #ToFoRB project through @SFCG_Kenya, held a Radio talk show at #KRADIO, hosting Youth on the show and discussing on their role in enhancing religious tolerance, challenging sterotypes and exclusion. Youth are often pulled into violent extremism by unemployment, marginalization, lack of education, peer pressure, online radicalization, and poor governance. Prevention starts with awareness, economic empowerment, strong community structures, mentorship, and collaboration between leaders, police, and youth. @Phyllis_Muema @NCTC_Kenya

Empowering local leaders to advance Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) dialogue. @SFCG_ led a 3-day training in Tana River County, equipping community leaders with nonviolent communication & active listening skills to strengthen sustainable FoRB dialogue. #toforb #WeAreHere

As part of strengthening the FORB Coalition formed under #ToFoRB project, @KECOSCE is conducting a coalition_Government FORB dialogues in Madogo_Tana River County bringing on board all multi_Faith networks, religious actors and community leaders to dialogue with state actors from relevant departments and institutions led by the sub County security team. This dialogue, offers a platform for Religious actors to share community issues, concerns, learn and re-learn as well as receiving feedback from state actors, the dialogue will culminate in joint action plan and a road map to addressing key community concerns in the area. @Phyllis_Muema @SFCG_ @MUHURIkenya @KeshoAlliance

@KECOSCE with the support of #TOFORB project and @SFCG_Kenya convened a follow-up coalition-building workshop uniting sub-county security teams, peace committee members, religious leaders & youth actors to strengthen collaboration in preventing conflict, human rights & FoRB violations in Madogo. Faith leaders shared how 8 barazas in Madogo & Bangale reached 400 youths & citizens on crime prevention, SGBV & resource-based conflicts. Business partners supported resilience by employing 50 vulnerable youths. Ustadhas led community engagements in collaboration with state actors that contributed to voluntary disarmament, with 12 illegal firearms surrendered, and provided counseling & sensitization to 137 teenagers on early marriages & teenage pregnancies—creating safe spaces for girls to voice drivers of violence. Participants agreed to form a structured coalition guided by a ToR, establishing youth, women & religious working groups with clear leadership & a shared workplan. @KeshoAlliance @SFCG_Kenya @MUHURIkenya

Advancing Religious Freedom Through TOFORB Project in Tana River County Kenya Community Support Centre (KECOSCE), in partnership with Search for Common Ground and a wider consortium of civil society actors, is implementing the Together for Religious Freedoms (TOFORB) project in Tana River County. This initiative contributes to regional efforts across the Coast and Northern Kenya to advance Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB). The project is designed to deliver sustainable impact by: Empowering diverse stakeholders—including women and youth leaders, community elders, religious leaders, and justice and security actors—to champion FoRB in their communities. Strengthening trust and collaboration across faiths and generations, reducing vulnerabilities to human rights abuses based on religion or belief. Building resilient coalitions that can sustain advocacy, dialogue, and joint action beyond the life of the project. Today, KECOSCE is convening a training workshop in Tana Delta subcounty bringing together members of the county multi-faith and cross-generational coalitions to jointly identify human rights challenges, set priorities, and develop actionable strategies for collaborative advocacy. By investing in inclusive coalitions and equipping them with tools for joint advocacy, the TOFORB project is laying the foundation for long-term resilience, equity, and peace. These efforts not only advance FoRB locally but also contribute to Kenya’s broader commitments to safeguard human rights and strengthen democratic governance. @SFCG_Kenya @KeshoAlliance @MUHURIkenya @SFCG_EU @InteriorKE @NCTC_Kenya @KECOSCE @NCIC_Kenya @USEmbassyKenya @cefresa_ke @IRF_Ambassador “Freedom of belief is freedom of dignity—and when communities unite, human rights abuses lose their ground.”

Advancing Religious Freedom Through TOFORB Project in Tana River County Kenya Community Support Centre (KECOSCE), in partnership with Search for Common Ground and a wider consortium of civil society actors, is implementing the Together for Religious Freedoms (TOFORB) project in Tana River County. This initiative contributes to regional efforts across the Coast and Northern Kenya to advance Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB). The project is designed to deliver sustainable impact by: Empowering diverse stakeholders—including women and youth leaders, community elders, religious leaders, and justice and security actors—to champion FoRB in their communities. Strengthening trust and collaboration across faiths and generations, reducing vulnerabilities to human rights abuses based on religion or belief. Building resilient coalitions that can sustain advocacy, dialogue, and joint action beyond the life of the project. Today, KECOSCE is convening a training workshop in Tana Delta subcounty bringing together members of the county multi-faith and cross-generational coalitions to jointly identify human rights challenges, set priorities, and develop actionable strategies for collaborative advocacy. By investing in inclusive coalitions and equipping them with tools for joint advocacy, the TOFORB project is laying the foundation for long-term resilience, equity, and peace. These efforts not only advance FoRB locally but also contribute to Kenya’s broader commitments to safeguard human rights and strengthen democratic governance. @SFCG_Kenya @KECOSCE @MUHURIkenya @KeshoAlliance @USEmbassyKenya @SFCG_EU @NCTC_Kenya @InteriorKE @TanariverN81611 @pahtti56 @VOANews “Freedom of belief is freedom of dignity—and when communities unite, human rights abuses lose their ground.”

Madogo, here we are! Day 1: @KECOSCE through #ToFoRB is conducting a two days training workshop in Bangale Sub_County at madogo Town, bringing on board, religious leaders, Multi_Faith networks, Paralegals, Peace committees, Media, Youth, Women and PWDs, the meeting was graced by the area Deputy County Commissioner. . The workshop is providing a secure environment for Religious actors to share human right violations, identify challenges, prioritize, strategize and identify collaborative opportunities to entrench social cohesion and bolster joint advocacy. Thanks to our partners @SFCG_ @KeshoAlliance and National Cohesion and Intergration Commission for attending and participating in the workshop @Phyllis_Muema @SFCG_

Day 1, @KECOSCE through #ToFoRB project is conducting a two days coalition building workshop in Tana Delta, the workshop is providing a secure environment for Religious actors to share human right abuses, address Common challenges in FoRB, prioritize, strategize and identify collaborative opportunities. Cross_generational coalitions are critical to addressing FORB issues, enhancing religious tolerance while entrenching social cohesion and joint advocacy. @Phyllis_Muema @SFCG_ @Tanariver004 @TanariverN81611 @tanafrik