CEO blog : A visit to Nairobi for a global urban violence event

Violence Is Preventable

As CEO of Empire, I’ve long championed the belief that violence is not an inevitable reality, it’s a challenge we can overcome with the right strategies, resources, and resolve.

At its core, the Nairobi event underscored a principle that guides everything we do at Empire: violence is preventable. From the cities of Kenya to the UK, the message was clear: we don’t have to accept violence as a fact of life. Instead, we can design and implement solutions that stop it before it starts.

Despite the complexity of urban violence, city representatives, community leaders, and organisations from across the globe shared a common belief that change is possible. They backed this belief with stories of success, tangible examples of communities transformed through deliberate, collaborative efforts. As a CEO, I left Nairobi inspired by this global movement and more determined than ever to ensure Empire plays a leading role in it.

One of the standout takeaways from the event was the clarity around what makes violence prevention work. Across panels, workshops, and side conversations, four key points emerged : sustainable funding; collaboration across different sectors; targeted interventions; and legitimate leadership.

No progress is possible without resources, wherever that is. At Empire, we’ve seen firsthand how sustained investment allows us to hire skilled staff, train local leaders, and reach young people before they’re drawn into cycles of violence. Long-term funding is critical to systemic change.

A criminal justice approach alone cannot solve urban violence. While police and legal systems play an important role, the Nairobi discussions highlighted the limitations of relying solely on enforcement. True prevention requires partnership, between governments, public sector, businesses, and communities. Organisations embedded in communities, with deep trust and legitimacy, are uniquely positioned to drive change. At Empire, we’re doubling down on our collaborations with local partners to amplify impact.

Violence isn’t random, it often follows patterns tied to inequality, exclusion, and disenfranchisement. Effective prevention means targeting these root causes with clear intention. In Nairobi, I heard about programs tailored to specific communities designed to address their unique challenges. This resonates with our work at Empire, where we focus on young people on the margins, offering them pathways to opportunity rather than conflict.

It's also important that organisations leading this work must have credibility. Communities won’t engage with groups they don’t trust. In Nairobi, I saw how local leaders, living amongst those whose lives they are impacting, command respect and inspire participation. At Empire, we strive to embody this principle by empowering community voices within our programs and ensuring our efforts reflect the needs of those we serve.

 In the UK, I’ve often noticed how discussions about violence focus on reduction, fewer murders, fewer stabbings, fewer assaults. Why are we aiming merely to lessen the damage rather than stopping it altogether?

A New Approach : Prevention is cure

Prevention saves lives, spares families from trauma, communities from fear, and societies from the economic and social costs of violence. At Empire, we’re shifting our narrative and our strategy to prioritise prevention, intervening early with young people, addressing root causes like inequality, and building resilience before crises occur. Nairobi showed me that this isn’t just a lofty ambition, but a road map for what’s already working in cities worldwide.

The important lesson was the power of community-driven change. Small and grassroots organisations, are doing great work - mentoring youth, mediating conflicts, and fostering dialogue. But they can’t do it alone. The event emphasised the need for networks, collaborations, cities, and sectors working in unison toward a shared vision. At Empire we will be seeking more opportunities to build and join these networks, both locally and globally.

A recurring theme in Nairobi was the link between violence and inequality. When people feel excluded, economically, socially, or politically, they become disconnected. That disconnection breeds frustration, and frustration can escalate into violence. This isn’t a new insight, but seeing it play out across cultures across the globe, drove it home.

At Empire, we’ve always worked with young people on the margins, those who feel the world has little to offer them. In Nairobi, I saw how our approach, rooted in global best practices, resonates universally. By offering education, skills training, and a sense of belonging, we are not just preventing violence, we are building the foundation for social justice.

A Call to Action: Persistence and Courage

Creating peace in cities takes systemic change and doesn’t happen overnight. Nairobi reminded me that this work demands clear intention, tenacity, and courage.

Empire will continue supporting young people caught up in the criminal justice system, but our ultimate aim is bolder: to stop violence before it begins. The Peace in Our Cities event showed me that this isn’t a solitary pursuit—people have done it, and many are doing it today. From Nairobi to London to New York, the evidence is clear: change is possible.

At Empire, we are ready to walk this path, hand in hand with our partners, communities, and supporters.

To join us on this mission drop an email to [email protected]