Abstract:
This study seeks to determine whether pupils who experienced post election violence which
occurred after 2007/2008 disputed elections would have higher levels of Posttraumatic Stress
Disorder than those who did not. The population includes all the standard seven pupils in six
primary schools in Kibera and Kayole settlements. A random sample of 164 pupils in each location
has been selected. The instruments include: personal experiences during post election violence,
psychological stability scale, and post traumatic experience psychological scale. The findings show
that there are tremendous differences in traumatic experiences between children in the violence
ridden areas and those in areas which did not witness violence and that there is a significant
difference in the level of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder between pupils who experienced communal
violence and those who did not. There is a high level of PTSD (75.45 percent) among the pupils
who experienced violence. It is recommended that there should be a provision for parent-teacher
communication; availability of school psychologists and counselors; in school setting. The
establishment of school-based programs on conflict resolution, emotional literacy, and anger
management skills from early childhood is also recommended.
