The National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) has called on politicians in Azimio One Kenya and Kenya Kwanza coalitions to heed to President Dr. William Ruto’s call for dialogue for the nation to remain peaceful and united.
NCIC Commissioner Sam Kona said it was unfortunate that the demonstrations spearheaded by opposition party Azimio One Kenya resulted in violence, destruction of property and disruption of businesses in various towns across the country.
Kona was speaking during a four-day regional forum that has brought together youth from Kisumu, Kericho, Nyamira, Bomet, Narok and Nandi Counties.
He said politicians exploited the jobless youth to take part in the violent protests.
Kona therefore urged the youth to guard against being exploited by the politicians to cause violence in the country, thereby disrupting peace and unity, which he said was not helpful to them.
“It is disheartening to say that the young people from their own words admitted that they themselves do not organize protests and demonstrations and in fact, they admitted that they get organized by political leaders, some of them get paid to participate in those protests and demonstrations and that explains the state of vulnerability of our young people, they are jobless and so politicians exploit their vulnerability and use them to advance negative political interest,” added Kona.
The commissioner mentioned that the forum was NCIC’s first regional dialogue for the youth of Kenya about the future of Kenya and their role in peace and non-violence, urging them to stand for peace and non-violence across the country.
Also present at the workshop was the new Kericho County Commissioner Lesimam Michael who cautioned political leaders who engage in organizing violence during demonstrations that they will face the full force of the law.
“We have heard from the youth in the forum that the violence experienced during demonstrations is well-organized and even financed by politicians,” he said.
By Kibe Mburu
