Region to hold peace forums ahead of polls

By Titus Too and Faith Rono

The Government has lined up a series of peace meetings to end the cycle of violence experienced during electioneering periods in parts of Uasin Gishu County.

The meetings aim at building peaceful coexistence among all communities living in the cosmopolitan county that suffered violence in the 2007/08 elections.

Abdi Hassan, the Uasin Gishu County Commissioner said 12 peace meetings would be conducted in some of the most vulnerable parts to sensitise committees on peace building.

“The aim of the meetings is not only to end the cycle of violence but also to work hard to make the county a growth centre of the North Rift and a financial and services hub,” said Hassan.

He added that seven strategic meetings would also be held focusing on diverse groups including religious leaders, elders, youth, women and business community in the regions.

The commissioner said due to the violence experienced after the last General Election, the region’s social-economic development had been negatively affected.

“For some time, this region has been branded as epicentre of violence,” he said.

Hassan made the remarks in a speech read on his behalf by Eldoret West DC Seif Matata during a peace forum with the media in the county.

The forum was organised by USAid and Office of Kenya Transitional Initiative in Eldoret town yesterday.

It brought together security teams from all districts including Uasin Gishu West, Wareng, Eldoret East and South districts.

During the forum dubbed Role of the media in conflict prevention, Hassan urged the media to be cautious not to cause flare-ups in the region.