On 6 June 2025, ACCORD hosted the third episode of the ACCNET Women, Peace and Security (WPS) and Youth, Peace and Security (YPS) Virtual Storytelling Series, spotlighting grassroots peacebuilding from Mombasa, Kenya. The session featured special guest Robinson Chivila Jambo, better known as Taylor Torch, who shared his remarkable journey of using music to mediate gang conflict and empower youth. The event demonstrated how creative expression can be a powerful tool for peacebuilding, especially in conflict-prone urban communities.
Facilitated by ACCORD Programme Officer Sivuyile Sithole, the virtual session brought together 22 participants from across the continent, including senior leadership, programme staff and interns.
Taylor Torch, co-founder of Acha Gun Shika Mic (“Drop the Gun, Pick the Mic”), recounted his transformation from a bullied youth and gang member to a community mediator through rap. By organising rap battles and peace-themed music workshops in schools and neighbourhoods, Taylor helped rival gangs find common ground. His organisation now offers training, mentorship and support to aspiring artists, even young women affected by gender-based violence, by providing them with a safe space and a platform to amplify their voices.
One notable success shared during the event was the collaboration between rival gang members on a peace-focused music album. The initiative, supported by Swahili Port and the U.S. Embassy, also supports B Records, which is a low-cost recording studio run by a reformed gang member, ensuring that youth have access to professional equipment and artistic mentorship.
This virtual storytelling session is part of ACCORD’s broader effort to promote locally led peace initiatives under the ACCNET WPS and YPS framework. By sharing Taylor’s story, ACCORD reinforced the importance of youth agency, cultural relevance and community-based conflict transformation in peacebuilding.
As a follow-up, ACCORD aims to strengthen partnerships with grassroots movements like Acha Gun Shika Mic by exploring collaborative training opportunities and knowledge exchanges. This event also laid the groundwork for the potential integration of similar initiatives into future ACCORD peace education toolkits and advocacy efforts.
ACCORD continues to elevate underrepresented voices and inspire community-led peace solutions, affirming that even in the most challenging environments, peace is possible, one verse at a time.
