Shakaba, Mberesia Immaculate2026-03-232026-03-232025-10https://ir-library.ku.ac.ke/handle/123456789/32823A Research Project Submitted in Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements for the Award of Master of Arts in Peace and Conflict Management in the School of Law, Arts and Social Sciences Kenyatta University. October, 2025 supervisor Evans OnyangoWomen have become significant actors in conflict resolution and peace building in Kenya. This study examined the participation of women in conflict resolution and peace building initiatives in Mt. Elgon sub county, Bungoma County. The objectives of the study were; to explore the development of protracted conflicts in Mt. Elgon Sub County, assess the strategies used by women to participate in conflict resolution and Peace building and the last objective is to examine the challenges encountered by women in conflict resolution and peace building in Mt. Elgon Sub County. The study adopted feminist and conflict transformation theories to analyze data from the field. The study employed a descriptive and case study research design since the focus of the study was Mt. Elgon Sub County and Women. Mt. Elgon Sub County was used as microcosm to understand women and peace building in Bungoma County. The study adopted a qualitative approach. The study targeted women and men key informants who participated in peace building in Mt. Elgon Sub County. The study used oral interview guide to collect data from the informants. The study relied on secondary sources to collaborate data that was obtained during field research. The data from the field was thematically analyzed qualitatively. The findings of the study were presented on the basis of the objectives of the study. The study established that women in Mt. Elgon sub County; Bungoma County participated in protracted conflicts between the Soy and the Mosop communities. The women acted as spies and also supplied food, arms and ammunition in the conflict. The study also established that women used formal and informal peace buildings strategies to nurture and entrench sustainable peace in Mount Elgon. The women founded and developed women networks and organizations at locational, divisional and sub district levels to lobby for sustainable peace. The main contribution of the study in peace building knowledge was that Women in Mt. Elgon successfully rehabilitated women and children who were adversely affected by the conflict in Mt. Elgon. The study recommended that national and county governments the two levels of government should also come up with policy guidelines to finance informal peace building strategies at the grass roots. The study also recommended for the need to mainstream women in all formal peace building structures and networks.enThesis