The National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) has started implementation of a roadmap for peaceful elections it had developed to address election related violence across the country.
NCIC team led by Commissioner Dorcas Kadego Tuesday met local grassroots based security actors in Mombasa County during training on hate speech, ethnic based political violence and peaceful coexistence.
Kadego told the participants that they will be depended on to identify and stop triggers of violence in their areas and help build cohesive communities ahead of the 2022 General Election.
She observed that the commission endeavours to build strong trust among communities and ensure they are united against any quarters seeking to incite them along ethnic lines for selfish political gains.
“Kenyans coexist peacefully until the electioneering period, when they start to divide themselves along ethnic lines. Here in Mombasa, you start hearing upcountry versus coastal people. That is something we should all strive to eradicate,” observed Kadego.
The NCIC commissioner told the community security actors to be on lookout for hateful politicians seeking to compromise peace and security, adding that her commission will also engage Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) and Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP) to find ways of dealing with such leaders.
“In the electoral process, citizens are even manipulated to take part in violence by such politicians. The commission will engage IEBC and ORPP in finding out ways of ensuring such leaders are not cleared to run for any elective positions,” added the Commissioner.
Mombasa County Commissioner Gilbert Kitiyo, who opened the one day NCIC training, urged the participants to work closely with National Government Administrative Officers (NGAOS) and multi agencies security to eradicate crime in the county.
He commended the team for volunteering credible intelligence that resulted in cracking down on violent gangs in areas of Likoni, Kisauni and Nyali.
“We appreciate the great job you have been doing in your areas and without your efforts, we would not have dealt with some of the criminals causing problems in areas like Likoni,” added Mr Kitiyo.
The County Commissioner told the NCIC commissioner and her team that the county is prepared towards peaceful elections adding that groups such as Mombasa Republican Council (MRC), Criminal groups like Wakali Wao and Al-Shabaab returnees have been put under control.
By Galgalo Bocha
