NCIC targets students in new peace drive for Kenya

The National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) has started a new drive targeting school-going children to play a leading role in fostering cohesion and integration. The initiative that will see primary school pupils and high school students form peace clubs in their institutions was launched yesterday by the commission.

Speaking at a workshop in Nairobi, NCIC assistant director for Civic Education and Advocacy Kilian Nyambu said they started the drive because past peace efforts and cohesion campaigns have excluded young people in schools, despite the fact that they are a critical part of the society.

"Many of the peace initiatives we have had have focused on political and community leaders and elders, but when it comes to the real people who bear the brunt of any unrest in the country it is the young people," said Nyambu (pictured), adding: "As a country, we have closed the door on the young people and prevented them from playing an effective role in fostering peace and cohesion."

"NCIC has established the peace clubs to open these doors for the young people in schools," he said.

Stakeholders from the Ministry of Education, who included teachers from both primary and secondary schools, attended the capacity building workshop. They were trained on the peace club guidelines.

Mr Nyambu observed that schools are the second institutions of socialisation.