State and non-State institutions in Kisumu in partnership with the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) have jointly launched a drive to promote a conducive environment at the grassroots levels during the electioneering period.
The stakeholders based in Kisumu Central Sub County have formed a committee where they would tackle issues concerning the election and find solutions with regards to the upcoming August 9th 2022 polls.
The committee includes people from different sectors such as the IEBC, security and intelligence sector, the NGOs, County Government officers, media personnel, inter-faith groups, civil servants, Community Based Organizations (CBOs), matatu, tuktuk and boda boda operators, youths and other relevant stakeholders in peace promotion.
According to Kisumu Central Deputy County Commissioner Hussein Alanson Hussein, the Ministry Of Interior and Coordination of National Government has directed that such fora should be established in all the counties and sub-counties in the country.
While reading a speech on behalf of the Principal Secretary Dr. Eng. Karanja Kibicho during the official launch of the initiative on Tuesday, Hussein said its objectives were to enhance the projection of the agendas to the grassroots levels to ensure the election period is a success and peaceful.
He said it would emphasize on promoting and enhancing regular consultations, coordination in preparation for the General Election, facilitating sustained information sharing among the relevant stakeholders, facilitating public education campaigns initiatives, identifying elections security-related threats, risks and proposing recommendations to mitigate them.
In addition, it would focus on the implementation of peace and national building programmes and strategies through mainstreaming of conflict-sensitive approach to election preparedness and enhancing conflict early warning and response in order to facilitate conflict resolution and dispute settlement.
“Being a moment of transition we need to focus on all these agendas to ensure we embrace one community, one Nation, a united Kenya and also enhance peaceful co-existence among everyone in Kisumu and the nation at large,” Hussein emphasized.
The multi-sectorial committee will conduct their meetings every month and also have special sittings as planned before the coming election.
In his remarks, Hussein pointed out that Kisumu Central Sub County has been regarded as a hot spot area during the election period and urged the members to work in unity to make the forum a success.
By Laodicah Sharon and Becky Galyns
