KENYA: Stakeholders of Radio Amani in Nakuru Diocese Trained to Promote Social Cohesion at Grassroots
Sr. Jecinter Antoinette Okoth, FSSA
Credit: AMECEA Online
Days after the Supreme Court in Kenya upheld Dr. William Samoei Ruto’s win as the fifth President of the country, various groups that have interest on activities of radio Amani situated in Kenya’s Nakuru diocese, have been trained on how they can promote social cohesion in the region to enhance peaceful coexistence after Kenya’s 22 General Elections.
In his presentation on Saturday, September 10, Dr. Zac Chiliswa a part-time Lecturer at KCA University in Nairobi, emphasized on frameworks for collaboration and networking between Radio Amani grassroots as means through which peace can be strengthened in the region.
The participants for the training were identified from a region that was predicted to be potentially electoral violence hotspot because of its cosmopolitan nature hence the fear of chaos after election in the country.
According to the facilitator, social cohesion is significant since “Violence can impede social development and has economic impact as well.”
“We have seen the devastating, and lasting, economic impact in countries that have experienced organised conflict,” Mr. Chiliswa highlighted to dozens of participants who attended the one day training on Saturday noting that “peace is a multidimensional concept that is represented in different cultural, political and economic forms.”
From the observation of participants, various factors have affected peace within Nakuru region including “tribalism, insecurity issues, negative influence from political leaders, corruption and hate speech,” among others.
Dr Chiliswa underscored that the role of the grassroots groups’ is therefore to “get rid of negative peace which is just but the absence of violence and absence of fear of violence.”
“Negative peace doesn’t tell anything about what is necessary for a peaceful society,” Mr. Chiliswa shared with participants challenging them to understand the difference between calmness and peace.
He called on groups that have interest on activities of radio Amani to promote positive peace which include “attitudes, and structures that create and sustain peaceful societies and help society move away from violence.”
To realize positive change in the society Mr. Chiliswa said, “We have to hold firm the pillars of peace which include accepting the rights of others, having a well-functioning government, sound business environment, equitable distribution of resources, good relation with neighbours, having good flow of information and reducing the level of corruption.”
He further urged participants to commence promoting social cohesion right from families so they can be example to others.
Additionally the facilitator informed over the 30 participants that there is “need for deeper understanding of how inter-ethnic political coalitions may be used to manipulate peace and conflicts.”
The ongoing project aims at empowering the community and faith-based radios to contribute towards social cohesion by mainstreaming peace building messages during and after the General Elections in Kenya.
