Across Kenya, people are anxiously awaiting the outcome of mediation talks being led by ex-U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan and distinguished African campaigner for women's and children's rights, Graca Machel. Post election violence has so far killed over 1,000 people and displaced at least 300,000.

The violence has polarised communities and shattered millions of lives. Solidarity from peace-loving Kenyans, the support of the international community and concessions from the main political groups are therefore essential if mediation efforts are to succeed.

Since the peace talks began, there has been an uneasy calm in the country, although amongst those who are living in deplorable conditions in relief camps, there is still a palpable sense of fear, anxiety and insecurity. Tellingly, the plight of the poorest people is slipping down the agenda.

In the past couple of weeks, two stories have dominated the local media: the political stalemate and interventions from foreign diplomats. These have pushed people's stories to the back pages of the news, if they are there at all. Dealing with the political impasse is crucial, but poverty and injustice are key factors that have fuelled the conflict.

It should not be forgotten that Kofi Annan has suggested a four point agenda to fostering peace: stopping the violence, addressing humanitarian needs, attending to the historical issues of injustice and tackling the political stalemate. A peace deal may help to halt the violence. But it is essential that the government ensures social, economic and political fair dealing across Kenya.

The task of reuniting communities and instilling peace, trust and confidence calls for a careful and sensitive approach from the government, civil society and the international community.

It is of course essential to provide food, water, shelter and livelihoods, but rebuilding lives is not just about bricks and mortar. It is just as important to rebuild people's emotional wellbeing. That takes goodwill and flexibility, with all parties taking into account the evolving situation.

Giving women and youth a leadership role in rebuilding efforts is crucial to this effort. At the community level this means creating women and youth committees to oversee recovery and reconciliation work, with peace education key.

Women and children have been the worst hit in this crisis. A counsellor from the Gender Violence Recovery Centre at Nairobi Women's Hospital, where ActionAid is supporting a programme to provide care and support for the victims of violence, told me how sexual violence has traumatised many lives and minds and that psychological wounds run deep.

The average age in Kenya is just 18. Media reports indicate that young people have played a major role in inciting and taking part in violence. Many are unemployed or underemployed. Their active engagement is vital in the peace process.

So is finding them jobs. Sports and culture also have a fundamental role to play when working with this age group; the power of football to unite people should never be underestimated, especially in the African context.

On the economic and political front, all investments and development funds must be treated as opportunities to rebuild peace and to act as an insurance against any further conflict. Most importantly they should not be used to amplify the violence.

Now is a timely opportunity to guide members of the Kenyan parliament on making Constituency Development Funds conflict sensitive. Constituency Development Funds are funds devolved to the constituencies from the central government to address poverty and inequalities. If properly used, they could be a vital peace building tool.

Local media houses should also take on responsibility to spread conciliation messages. Unfortunately the media has been blocked from covering the mediation talks and the constructive role they could play is being sidelined.

This is an historic moment, and one in which the media needs to go the extra mile. It means not limiting their potential to the usual role of reporting. Editors can and should show sensitivity to educate, inform and empower their audiences.

Kenya must learn from history and from its neighbours. Learning from reconciliation and peace building efforts from Rwanda, Burundi and elsewhere could help, as would community-based initiatives to engage people from all walks of life and different ethnic groups.

Lives lost must not be in vain. That is everyone's collective responsibility.

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