Chemchemi Ya Ukweli (CYU) (Kiswahili for Wellspring of Truth) Trust is an interfaith movement founded in 1997 by a group of religious leaders concerned about the growing violence emanating from issues on constitutional reforms, governance, and public safety. Its mission is to implement creative Active Non Violence (ANV) principles to attain a more peaceful society. CYU envisions Kenyan society that embraces the spirituality of ANV in conflict management and advocacy.  Since 1997 CYU has had three phases focusing on inter-faith dialogue, constitutional review process advocacy and ANV training and mentoring.  The core problem is a growing culture of violence in Kenya.

The problem was identified through CYU’s experiences, stakeholders’ problem analysis and internal/external evaluations. CYU defines violence as a force or the use of force that is injurious and destructive to quality of life and dignity of the human person (see CYU training manual).  There are two forms of violence –direct and structural/indirect.  The growing culture of violence in Kenya manifests itself in these two forms that are inter-related and inter-twined.

Direct violence can be seen in police and prison brutality and torture, wife battering, riots, child beating, rape, defilement, violent evictions, political and tribal violence. Indirect violence can be attributed to child labour, labour exploitation, prostitution, discriminations, anti-people laws, economic corruption, high taxation etc. CYU aims at promoting community participation, through appropriate strategies, for people’s positive attitudes to non-violence and a culture of peace.

The project goal and objectives are founded on Active Non Violence (ANV) values and principles (also well spelt in the training manual). Effects of the growing culture of violence in Kenya include - social fragmentation, insecurity, corruption, lawlessness, political and domestic violence, under-development and a culture of silence/apathy.