NCIC to work with teachers as peace ambassadors during election period

By Steve Muthini

The National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) in conjunction with secondary school teachers across the country have embarked on a drive to sensitize students against being used to cause violence in the forthcoming general elections.

Teachers from 47 counties who are patrons of Amani Clubs in their Schools held a two-day workshop in Machakos on the weekend where they discussed modalities of how to ensure the learners become peace ambassadors.

*Some of the Amani Club teachers with NCIC officials.*

Kenya Secondary School Heads Association (KESSHA) Chairman Kahi Indimuli said the youths are perpetuators or victims of election violence and all efforts should be made to ensure they have the right Message to enhance peace.

“As we move towards the electioneering period, we want to use the Amani Clubs to educate our students to stay away from activities that may endanger peace and that they should be peace ambassadors in their communities,” said Mr. Indimuli who is also the Machakos School Principal.

Mr. Indimuli said that in the recent past, there have been cases of students torching their own Schools and it was therefore important to engage students on ways of resolving conflict within and outside the schools.

He said the Amani Clubs had not been established in all the schools and encouraged those who do not have the clubs to start them as one of the innovative ways of enhancing peace.

Deputy Director of NCIC Mr. Kelian Nyambu said without peace in schools, no meaningful learning can take place.

He remarked that learning institutions provide a basis through which peace can be enhanced in the country.