NCIC holds public forums to promote post-election healing

NCIC Commissioner Wambui Nyotu, Interior PS Moffat Kangi, NCIC Chairman Samuel Kobia and NCIC Commissioner Abdulaziz Farah at the Launch of post-election peace assessment report on December 6, 2022. [David Gichuru, Standard]

The National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) has embarked on an intense post-election healing dialogue to promote peace and unity.

The commission believes through the forums, the country will be able to seal any loopholes that may stir disunity among citizens and promote peaceful coexistence.

Yesterday, the team pitched tent in Kisumu where residents challenged the country to continue maintaining peace and unity.

At a public Baraza held at Kosawo Hall in Manyatta, calls for peace and an end to politics dominated speeches as residents stated their resolve to maintain peace.

A number of residents urged the political class to focus on service delivery and tone down on making political statements as a way of pushing the country to heal and move on.

They challenged president William Ruto and his deputy Rigathi Gachagua to take the lead in championing peace.

The residents claimed that the two leaders do not speak like statesmen and warned that their statements if not checked, could plunge the country into unnecessary violence.

They said the President should now sit down with Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga and hold a dialogue that will help the country heal and unite for the sake of service delivery.

"Politicians are still in a campaign mode. It is the role of the President to help the nation heal by watching his statements. We want the President and his deputy to tone down on their public utterances and lead the country forward henceforth," said Millicent Akinyi.

Another resident, Rakwaro Cornel said despite the difference in political affiliation they will put the leaders to task.

"We have to put our differences aside and focus on service delivery to heal as a country," said Cornel.

Another resident Kassim Ochieng, who is a community leader, said Kisumu residents are now peaceful.

"The appointments are a clear indication we are not part of the country. Once lost the Presidency, we should have been considered for the appointments. This would have helped the communities with healing and moving on," added Ochieng.

The commission is currently holding public barazas that are meant to spearhead the healing process in all estates in Kisumu county.

The barazas, according to Commissioner Philip Okundi, will be held in all counties of Kenya and will involve all stakeholders.

"We are here in this county to hold meetings with residents and various stakeholders to talk about the issues of hate speech, and peaceful co-existence among other things. This is coming after the general election which is very important," said Okundi.

Okundi said their main message is that residents must heal first as the country prepares to move forward together.

"After the general elections, different things happen that change our lives. As NCIC, we cannot sit and fail to explore our mandate. The way we moved around the country to talk about the roadmap to peaceful elections before August is the same way we are back to talk about the healing process," added Commissioner Okundi.