RITT Launches New Course in Peace and Reconciliation

This post has moved. You can now read it on my main blog, Journey of a Peace Worker: RITT Launches New Course in Peace and Reconciliation.

The Reformed Institute for Theological Training (RITT) has introduced a new course in Peace and Reconciliation, marking a significant milestone in pastoral education and the Church’s response to regional conflict. The 10-week course, the first of its kind at the institute, will initially be offered to all certificate and diploma students training for ministry within the Reformed Church of East Africa (RCEA).

The course was officially launched last week at the RITT campus in Eldoret. Speaking during the flag-off ceremony, the Principal, Rev. Dr. Thomas Togom, underscored the importance of preparing clergy not just for the pulpit, but also for real-world challenges facing congregations and communities.

“What we need is an all-rounded pastor who is able to handle issues more broadly from an informed point of view,” said Rev. Dr. Togom.

RITT students take part in a Peace Walk to commemorate the International Day of Peace, as part of activities under the newly introduced Peace and Reconciliation program at the Reformed Institute for Theological Training (RITT).

The Dean of Studies, Rev. Hezron Komen, echoed the sentiment, noting that the course comes at a time when many communities in the region are grappling with deep-seated divisions and unresolved tensions.

“What we are seeing is a lot of conflicts happening around our region, and our churches and congregations are not immune to it,” said Rev. Komen. “As an institute, we are happy to contribute to conflict resolution and peacebuilding.”

RITT, which has long served as the training ground for RCEA pastors and evangelists, is also exploring plans to establish a Center for Peace Studies. According to Rev. Komen, the envisioned center would serve as a hub for research, specialized training, and ongoing capacity-building for serving church leaders.

“We want to equip more church workers in this field and offer more support to serving pastors and evangelists,” he said. “Our plan is to develop thematic workshops they can attend at their convenience.”

The introduction of the Peace and Reconciliation course comes against the backdrop of a continuing need for healing and reconciliation in the North Rift region, which bore the brunt of the 2007/2008 post-election violence in Kenya. The scars of that turbulent period remain evident, and churches have played a critical role in fostering dialogue and rebuilding relationships among divided communities.

RITT’s initiative is part of a broader push by the Church to equip its leaders with practical tools for ministry in a complex and often fractured social environment. With this new program, the Institute signals a renewed commitment to peace work as central to the Church’s mission