Kiambu is among the counties that have been removed from the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) List for violence hotspot.
Kiambu had been one of 23 counties mapped out by NCIC in February as possible hotspots for violence before, during and after the August elections.
Kiambu County Commissioner Joshua Nkanatha today said that they have been working with the police, Chiefs and community leaders to ensure there is peace during election and after the election.
Nkanatha who was speaking during the County Governance Committee workshop at Kiambu headquarter thanked all stakeholders for implementing peace strategies that have seen Kiambu county being pulled off from the watch list.
At the same time, he urged all the Sub County peace committee chairpersons to continue to reach out to Kiambu residents and especially the youths by urging them not to be used by politicians to propagate violence.
“The boda boda sector, despite being a good source of income for our youths, is being taken advantage of by politicians. We need to sensitize these youths against being misused,” he said.
Nkanatha also warned the residents against using social media to spread hate reminding them that it is only the leadership of this country that is being changed by votes and not by guns and that the country will remain ours.
“We are on the lookout, and those caught propagating any chaos will face the consequences. We should be the champions of peace,” he added.
Edna Miriti the Program manager for the County Governance watch reiterated the County Commissioners words on youth and social media users’ engagement against spreading hate speech.
She asked Kiambu residents to report any incidents of incitement through the toll-free number 0800721528. “We are in the process of coming up with a communication platform that will ease communication for improved vigilance,” Miriti said
On concerns by various Sub County peace chairpersons on additional members to the peace committee, Miriti said that the committee will be issued with branded work wear to ease their operations.
Aboo Nurein the peace Chairperson Thika West said that leaders who will be caught speaking hate speech should be arraigned in court to answer for their actions as this will serve as an example to others.
George Mukura Githunguri Sub county peace chairperson urged residents to maintain peace and insisted that at the end of it all peace always wins violence.
Kiambu Sub County peace initiative chairperson Beatrice Ndichu said that they will keep advocating for peace in the County even after the elections and called upon the residents to work together to make the country safe. “Let us unite, if we work together our country will be safe,” she said.
The County Governance watch in partnership with Mercy Corps and Usawa Kwa Amani has been holding peace forums in all Kiambu Sub counties to sensitize the residents on the need to spread peace during and after the election period.
In Kiambu Nine aspirants are seeking for the governor’s seat ahead of August 9 General Election.
By Lucy Mwikali and Evalyne Kamau
