Kisumu:The National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) has appealed to the youth in Kisumu to reject political violence and actively promote peaceful coexistence as the 2027 General Election approaches. NCIC Commissioner Jerusah Mwaathime emphasized the importance of youth engagement in fostering peace during her address at a two-day youth café engagement forum held in the city.
According to Kenya News Agency, the youth participants committed to not being drawn into violence by politicians and pledged to use their social media platforms to advocate for peace, truth, and responsible online behavior. They expressed a willingness to collaborate with the NCIC in ensuring peaceful elections, honoring the legacy of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga by shunning violent demonstrations in favor of dialogue.
Mwaathime highlighted that this initiative is part of the NCIC’s “Uchaguzi Bila Noma” roadmap, which aims to ensure violence-free elections in 2027. She pointed out the vulnerability of youth to political manipulation as a significant challenge to peaceful elections and stressed the need for sustained engagement with young people to promote national cohesion.
The youth, who constitute approximately 75% of Kenya’s population, were encouraged to serve as peace ambassadors and use their influence constructively, particularly on social media, to prevent the spread of propaganda and misinformation. Mwaathime also addressed concerns about the NCIC’s ability to hold political leaders accountable for inflammatory remarks, explaining that the Commission operates within the legal framework provided by the National Cohesion and Integration Act, No. 12 of 2008.
The Act prohibits ethnic discrimination and provides mechanisms to address ethnic hostility and discrimination, although enforcement is limited to cases that meet specific legal thresholds. Mwaathime noted that the Commission is seeking legislative amendments to expand its mandate and enhance its capacity to tackle hate speech and conduct threatening national cohesion.
Despite challenges, the NCIC continues to pursue alternative interventions such as conciliation and mediation, and remains committed to applying the law impartially. Established in response to the 2007-2008 post-election violence, the NCIC has been operational since 2009, focusing on promoting unity and peaceful coexistence among Kenya’s diverse communities.
