The 2026 Kenya National Amani Clubs Association competitions officially kicked off in Kakamega County today, with Khwisero Girls Senior School hosting the opening ceremony.
Amani Clubs are an initiative of the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC), introduced in Kenyan schools in the aftermath of the disputed 2007 General Election.
The clubs were established to foster peace, national cohesion, and integration following the post-election violence that claimed many lives across the country.
Over the years, schools with active Amani Clubs have reported improved harmony, stronger integration among students from diverse backgrounds, and reduced cases of unrest.
Call for Unity
Speaking during the opening ceremony at Khwisero Girls Senior School, Amani Club National Chairperson Kennedy Kunani welcomed participating schools and urged students to be good ambassadors of their institutions.
“This year’s theme is ‘Dialogue over Division, Youth Voices for a United Kenya.’ We are here to engage one another constructively and ensure that whatever we discuss leaves us more united as a country,” said Kunani.
He emphasised that the competition is not merely about winning debates and essays, but about nurturing a generation committed to peaceful coexistence and national unity.
Champion Peace
Moses Buriri, the County Administrative Coordinator representing the County Director of Education, Stephen Abere, commended the large turnout from learning institutions.
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“We want you to be peace ambassadors in your schools. Debate for peace and live for peace,” he told the students.
Buriri noted that although the event was initially scheduled to be hosted at Mwihila Senior School, it was moved due to instability at the institution.
“We expect you to uphold peace wherever you go,” he added.
Experience shared
Also addressing the gathering was Stephen Mang’eni of Amukura Police Station, who was recently recognised as a hero for his dedication to child protection.
Mang’eni revealed that he has visited approximately 415 schools across Busia and Kakamega counties to sensitise students on crime prevention.
“We have a significant number of young people behind bars for crimes that could have been avoided, including defilement and robbery. Crime does not pay. I urge the youth to engage in constructive activities instead of criminal behaviour,” he said.
Challenges
According to Kunani, Amani Clubs continue to face several challenges, including financial constraints and political instability, which hinder participation by some schools.
He disclosed that regional competitions planned in Tanzania were postponed due to political instability, but expressed optimism that future engagements would proceed as planned.
Despite the setbacks, essay-writing and debate competitions began nationwide this weekend, with the national contest scheduled for later in the year.
Having been personally part of the Amani Clubs since 2016, many stakeholders expressed pride in the initiative’s continued impact in shaping responsible, peace-driven youth across the Republic.
The message from Kakamega was clear: dialogue must triumph over division, and the youth remain central to building a united Kenya.
By Victor Ngecho
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