A peace conference held at the Daystar University on 6th July 2022 ended with a clarion call to Kenyan youths to observe peace before, during and after the forthcoming general elections.
The conference organized by the Nairobi Student Leaders Forum alongside the Global Peace Foundation Kenya, Adams Group, the Association of Evangelicals in Africa and other partners brought together hundreds of students and other youths from various parts of Nairobi.
Speaking at the event, the Chief Executive Officer of the Music Copyright Society of Kenya Dr. Ezekiel Mutua, highlighted the vital role played by young people and university students in peacebuilding and national cohesion. “We only one country and we ought to do everything in our might because we have no where else to go.” Said Mutua who was the Chief Guest.
The Country Director of the Global Peace Foundation Mr. Daniel Juma who spoke at the same forum shared his experience during the 2007-2008 post-election violence and highlighted the need of everyone doing their responsibility in the upcoming polls. He called on all aspirants to be ready to accept elections results as the will of the people to avoid unnecessary escalation.
The event ended by the signing of a peace pact and peace pledges from the Mkenya Daima Initiative led by the Chief Guest. The peace campaign tagged ‘Amani Ni Jukumu Langu’, has set a pace for conversations and campaigns revolving around peace among the youth.
The discussions found that that during every election cycle, politicians use young people to perpetrate violence and saw the need for continued civic education targeted at the youth. Delegates also called for economic empowerment for young people to enable them be socio-economically prepared and occupied and be unavailable for violence.
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