Elders, leaders vow to enhance peace ahead of 2017 elections

Community elders and political leaders in the county have vowed to enhance peace building campaigns ahead of the 2017 General Election.

Speaking during a meeting hosted by the Agikuyu Community Association in Uasin Gishu, the leaders observed electioneering had been in previous years used by insensitive leaders to breed hate, saying they would not allow a repeat of the same.

Joseph Wainaina, the chairperson of the association, said increased incidences of hate speech and incitement were a great threat to the region that was hit hard by 2007/2008 post-election violence.

"In our association, we have chosen 10 leaders from every ward who will work with the clergy, peace campaigners and the administration to foster unity through regular meetings. We expect the same from other communities because we need to first keep our ethnic houses in order before we can effectively embrace others," he said.

Mr Wainaina, who is also the Jubilee patron in Uasin Gishu, said their main agenda is to inculcate peaceful coexistence among all communities, empower the locals democratically and counter situations where selfish leaders can perpetrate hate.

"Through these groups, we will be able to know the expectations of every community concerning leadership and development and we can also mobilise the electorate to register as voters to exercise their right of democracy without fear of being victimised," he added.

Major John Seii of the Nandi Council of Elders, who is also the chairperson of Uasin Gishu County Peace Forum, challenged all other regions to bring their people together and work towards embracing one another irrespective of political affiliations.

Uasin Gishu County Assembly Speaker Isaac Terer lauded the initiative by locals to pursue peace and called on other regions to emulate the same.

Uasin Gishu Governor Jackson Mandago said everyone should be free to support any political party without being victimized.