Law, Peace and Conflict Resolution - Class 8 Social studies

- Laws are rules put in place to be obeyed by the citizens in a country or society.
- These laws guide people to live peacefully.
- Conflicts are disagreements that result from arguments or fights.

Conflict Resolution

- Resolving means finding a solution to disagreements.
- A resolution can be reached through:

• Dialogue- The affected persons or groups find a solution among themselves.
• Mediation- The affected persons or groups find a solution by engaging a third party who encourages them to talk.
• Arbitration- The affected persons or groups engage a third party who, instead, comes up with a solution which the conflicting parties must accept and follow.

National Unity

- National unity is that oneness of all the various communities united together as one people.
- It is the feeling of unity, loyalty and patriotism of ones country.
- The symbols of National Unity identify Kenya from other countries.
- They remind Kenyan that they all belong to one country Kenya.

Symbols of National Unity in Kenya

These symbols are:-

1. The National Flag
2. The National Anthem
3. The Coat of Arms
4. The Public Seal

1. The National Flag

- There is only one national flag.
- It symbolizes that Kenya is an independent country.
- It reminds Kenyan of their common loyalty to their country.
- The Kenyan flag is flown in:-

• All public institution eg. schools.
• All government offices and premises eg. chief's offices, police stations, e.t.c.
• All government buildings, ministries, e.t.c.
• Vehicles of senior government officials eg. the Chief Justice.
• Office of the president.
• Kenyan embassies and high commission abroad.
• The headquarters of UN, AU, EAC and other organizations where Kenya is a member.
• International sporting activities where Kenya is participating.

2. The Court of Arms

- It signifies that the government is legitimate.
- It shows courage, ability, strength and readiness to defend our country.
- It calls for people to unite and build the nation together.
- Meaning of the court of arms features:
a) Lions holding spears- strength and courage to defend our country.
b) A cockerel- The party symbol of KANU which led our country to independence.
c) A shield- The readiness to defend our country.
d) Agricultural products- Represents Kenya's productive land.
e) Harambee- The spirit of working together.

3. The public Seal

- It acts as the government signature.
- It is stamped on official documents.
- It is a Court of Arms surrounded by several crops produced in the country.

Factors That Promote National Unity

• Use of one national language - Kiswahili promotes understanding.
• Use of a common system of education in the country.
• The constitution gives equal rights to every Kenyan.
• Equal distribution of development projects eg. Constituency Development Fund (CDF).
• The National philosophies of; African Socialism, Harambee spirit and the Nyayo Philosophy of peace, love and unity.
• National unity is also promoted through interaction when people meet in trading and sporting activities.

Factors that Limit National Unity

• Tribalism.
• Nepotism.
• Corruption and greed.
• Regionalism.
• Racism.
• Political selfishness.
• Unequal distribution of development.
• Religious differences.