BY MICHAEL CHEPKWONY
The Provincial Administration and local leaders have supported a civic education initiative in Nandi County ahead of the General Election.
The programme, which aims at preventing recurrence of post-election violence, kicked off on Monday with the training of 200 personnel.
The personnel will be charged with the responsibility of sensitising residents in the region on coexistence. Ford Foundation International Fellowships Programme-US is sponsoring the Sh7 million programme.
Programme director Tecla Tum who officially launched the exercise at Kips Resort in Nandi Hills on Monday said it is aimed at promoting social justice and peace in selected counties.
Dr Tum said: “Our findings indicated that violence erupts because of lack of awareness among communities and simplifying the Constitution through civic education will sensitise people on accepted procedure of addressing issues affecting them.”
She said that the exercise, which will involve Provincial Administration, churches, youth and women groups will also be extended to other counties.
Tum said the counties that the programme will cover include Migori, Kisii, West Pokot, Wajir, Mandera, Kwale, Elgeyo-Marakwet, Trans Nzoia and Kilifi.
Partnered
Project vice-chairman Abraham Langat said: “Since the Provincial Administration is geared towards peace in the region, we have partnered with them to ensure that the exercise becomes successful. We do not have political agenda.”
Langat disclosed that the exercise also involved sensitisation on how to choose credible leaders and civic education on the new Constitution.
Nandi East DC Irene Ondeng who spoke to The standard on telephone said she had not received any negative remarks about the exercise.
“Peace oriented programmes are good and we welcome them. We are ready to assist them wherever necessary once we find out that their missions are positive,” she said.
Acting Nandi Central DC Willis Bunde pledged to offer necessary support towards the programme.
Kapsabet Mayor Michael Rono welcomed the programme and asked willing partners to participate. He said: “As civic leaders, we welcome efforts that promote peace and we are hopeful that the exercise will reach all residents in Nandi County.”
