Mercy Corps recently undertook research to better understand the following questions: What accounts for the differences between the actions of youth who engage in violence and those who stay out of it? And how can programs like LEAP best contribute to reducing the risk of violence among youth? The research aimed to fill gaps in the quantitative evidence on research on youth and conflict. To do this, the study relied primarily on household survey data and used statistical tests identify factors that significantly influence youth‟s attitudes and behaviors towards political violence and Over 70% of the perpetrators of the 2007/8 post-election violence in Kenya were youth (EDC, 2009). Yet only 5% of Kenyan youth engaged in the violence. This highlights the reality that while youth often play major roles in violent conflict, it is typically only a small fraction of the youth population who become involved. Understanding Political Violence among Youth: Evidence from Kenya | MERCY CORPS 4 other measures of stability1 . The study also used qualitative interview and observation methods to gain first hand perspectives from youth and youth development experts in Kenya on the key drivers of violence.