As the country fast approaches the high stakes August elections, a youth group in Mombasa dubbed ‘Royal Youth Entertainment’ has launched an initiative to support young people in promoting peace.
The youth group contends that general elections need not send shivers down the spines of the people due to tensions and political fever that come with it.
Members of Royal Youth Entertainment have been going around the coastal county to spread the message of shunning election violence and instead using their influence and energy to promote good governance and better society.
The group under the leadership of Joseph Owino alias Black Joseph says they are out to transform their local communities and actively advocate for social change so as to fulfill their civic responsibilities as citizens.
The youth group has been crisscrossing the six sub counties of Mombasa which the authorities have tagged as election hot-spots, sensitizing the general public particularly the youth on the need to ensure peace before, during and after the August 9th elections.
Police and the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) have tagged the six sub counties of Mvita, Changamwe, Jomvu, Likoni, Kisauni and Nyali as hot-spots after widespread incidences of violence in previous elections and related electoral activities.
The group has been staging drama, poetry recitals and songs on peace in markets and other social places to educate and caution young people who unfortunately are most often used as instruments for violence during electioneering periods.
Owino, a leading peace ambassador in the coastal city has decried that generation after generation, politics of division has prevailed in the country affecting society at all levels.
“As young people we have a role to play in helping the country conduct free, fair and peaceful elections,” he said during an interview with KNA.
He went on: “we are out to inspire hope and motivate young people to become positive agents of change in their communities”, adding, “The youth vote is considered decisive but has a huge role in keeping the peace.”
Owino said they are out to discourage young people from indulging in drug and substance abuse and joining criminal gangs but instead initiate activities to address socio-economic and development issues.
He says young people should reject rogue leaders who recruit them to engage in electoral violence for their selfish interests.
Owino says youth violence during elections is often caused by political differences, poverty, unemployment and incentives such as offers of money, alcohol and drugs by unscrupulous politicians.
Levi Zia, another youth leader said the group is out to get many young people to become involved in peace building activities to uphold and promote a peaceful atmosphere during the election period.
Zia noted that in their activities the group has been calling on everyone to restrain from practices that will jeopardize the state of peace currently enjoyed in the country.
“We are out to promote coexistence and political tolerance in the midst of competitive elections,” he said.
Another youth leader and ambassador of peace Charlene Maraga has called on young people to reject involvement in electoral violence in the run up to the polls.
Maraga says when there is violence often sponsored by the political class it is marginalized groups like the youth, women and people with disabilities that suffer the most.
“Elections are not about violence and crime but using your thumb to elect the one you want to represent your interests,” she said.
She added: “We believe we have embarked on a worthy cause and we will do our best to ensure that Kenya is peaceful before, during and after the general polls”.