Let’s embrace culture of peace, tolerance

Peace is one of the most essential ingredients a society needs to prosper. It is not merely the absence of war as widely thought, but the presence of justice, law and order.

Albert Einstein and other theorists of influence see it as a tool or means to ending war or conflict, whose incentives comprise harmony and stability of a people.

Here in Kenya, we know all too well what the absence of peace can bring. In 2007-2008 when the country slid into post-election violence, the nation was nearly torn apart. Thousands were killed and many others displaced amid economic losses of untold proportions.

Come 2017, the country was dangerously polarised in the aftermath of a disputed presidential election. After soul-searching, President Uhuru Kenyatta and his main challenger Raila Odinga shook hands on March 9, 2018 in an attempt to reconcile the country.  

As the world marks the International Day of Peace today, it is important that every Kenyan steers the national discourse in the direction of peace. Prosperity and peace are intertwined.

The International Day of Peace commemorates the strengthening of the ideals of peace globally. As part of the global system, we’re obliged to embrace each other in the spirit of our shared values.

Being the epicentre of various peace processes given our geopolitical importance in the region, we have an obligation to preach peace, which enables individuals to attain their human capability, dignity and choice.

We believe everyone has a duty to reject leaders who perpetuate hate and political exclusion. As we approach the 2022 General Election, let our ethnicity and political persuasions not be fodder for toxic exchanges that may predispose us to chaos.