Security officers, religious leaders and non-profit organisations in Nakuru have come up with various strategies to sell peace messages to residents of the county.
The peace campaigns have been anchored on behaviour change with the leaders emphasising the need for peace.
Nakuru was one of the counties hardest hit during the bloodbath witnessed during the 2007/2008 post-election.
Last month, a countrywide youth peace forum dubbed Sauti 47 was launched at the ASK grounds in Nakuru Town.
Last week, religious leaders hosted the National Prayer Week at Afraha Stadium, whose agenda was praying for the country’s peace ahead of the August polls.
CHURCHES AND MOSQUES
On Tuesday, Deputy County Commissioner Omrah Salat held a meeting with Christian and Muslim religious leaders. The agenda too was preaching during worship.
“Churches and mosques control about 80 per cent of the whole population. If we can get this group to shun every form of violence, then we have won half the battle,” said Mr Salat.
He said the county has devised a strategic plan that runs from June 19 to August 8.
“This time, every personnel who is armed will be required to stay on guard as part of the response team in case of any skirmishes. The security agencies were caught unawares in 2007. It will not happen again this time,” Mr Salat said firmly.
He said he would arrange a 5-kilometre peace walk on Saturday and thereafter meet with over 1,000 youth from all the 11 sub-counties of Nakuru County.
Mr Salat said the aim is to have as many people as possible talk about the benefits of peace as opposed to violence.
