The Mkenya Daima Initiative on 7^th June 2022 hosted a consultative meeting with the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) at the Sarova Panafric Hotel. The meeting aimed at deliberating on collaborative efforts that would promote national unity and peace as the country readies itself for the general election on 9^th August.

Present during the forum were members of the Mkenya Daima Steering Committee led by Dr. Vimal Shah – Chair, Mkenya Daima Initiative; Ms. Flora Mutahi – Chair, KEPSA; Ms. Martha Cheruto – KEPSA Deputy CEO-Foundation among other. Present from the NCIC side were the NCIC Commissioners led by Rev. (Dr.) Samuel Kobia – Chair, NCIC and Dr. Skitter W. Mbugua – CEO, NCIC.

In her welcoming remarks, Ms. Cheruto noted that NCIC is a very important stakeholder in ensuring peace and cohesion in the country while adding that every election is determined by the people who show up. She also reiterated the importance of spreading peace and unity. “Let us continue loving each other because we are one Kenya,” She remarked.

Ms. Flora Mutahi noted the need to combat the fraud in the electoral systems so that there’s a free and fair election. She also talked of the importance of electing leaders of integrity. “Leaders are supposed to be accountable to the people and it is important to choose somebody who is going to be useful because we need to protect our economy,” She said.

In his presentation, Dr. Vimal emphasized accountability, transparency and leadership ethos as critical issues that form part of Mkenya Daima campaign. “We need to look at what a leader exhibits from the MCA to the Presidential level. Selflessness, objectivity, openness, integrity and honesty are some of the characteristics that drive the cause to help identify good leadership.” Dr. Vimal also raised the issue of accountable leadership where he stated that Kenyans should interrogate the manifestos they come across to ensure leaders live up to what they promised.

In his remarks, Rev. (Dr.) Kobia noted that NCIC has developed a multi-agency approach to deal with matters of peace and security adding that the Commission is working closely with the Directorate of Criminal Investigations-Kenya, Office of the Director of Public Prosecution (ODPP), Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP) and the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) to ensure there’s an effective and seamless capacity to investigate and prosecute offenders.

“We have also identified a subculture of violence related to elections and which has now morphed from politician organized gangs to the possible militia for hire. This is a new development that we are monitoring particularly because we have a young, well-educated population that might be easily co-opted to sell violence because of being jobless or idle,” Said Dr. Kobia.

As a way forward, the forum agreed on the following;

• Mkenya Daima and NCIC agreed to explore and jointly host the Leadership and Peace Summit in July
• The forum agreed to work on joint messaging towards the leadership and peace summit in July – Mkenya Daima Leadership & Peace Pledge vs NCIC Political Decency & Peace Charter
• Mkenya Daima and NCIC committed to work together in building/enhancing public trust in the institutions charged with managing the general elections especially the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).