APCJ_1528_Win2010_00i_122_4 12/30/10 3:22 PM Page 89 Violence as a Bargaining Tool: The Role of Youths in the 2007 Kenyan Elections 89 The new political dispensation ushered in through a referendum on adopting a new constitution on 4 August 2010 offers a framework within which youths can assume legitimate roles and participate in the socio-political and economic developments of Kenya. Some of the new constitution’s provisions, such as chapter 8, section 97, 19(c), and chapter 11, section 177(c), specifically provide for youth representation in the National Assembly and lower structures of governance, hence creating an opportunity for passage of youth friendly policies. Implementation of the new constitution will, however, require monitoring and checks by the legislature and civil society to ensure that the spirit of this ‘second liberation’ is lived in full and that Kenyan youths are liberated from violence. CONCLUSION Youth exclusion is a reality in Kenya that touches on fundamental, structural variables that determine societal relationships. Indeed, no solution to youth problems can be developed until the root causes of youths’ exclusion are addressed to the satisfaction of all parties involved. Peacebuilding approaches, especially those targeting youths, must embrace a paradigm shift from a culture of violence to embracing peace and cohesion and adopt a transformational approach to move from a culture of violence to one of nonviolence, where human dignity is appreciated. Institutional reforms, social justice through equitable resource distribution, equal access to opportunities, and legally based reforms are necessary to alleviate institutionalized violence against youths. Kenya’s electoral system under the new constitutional order must ensure that the principles of fairness and equality become enshrined in and practiced across the country to avoid a repeat of the 2007–2008 electoral violence.