On 9^th May 2022, the Mkenya Daima initiative represented by KEPSA Deputy CEO – Projects and Foundation, Ms. Martha Cheruto participated in the Master trainers’ course on voter education for over 30 institutions of higher learning at the Kenya School of Government (KSG). The forum was convened by the Universities and Colleges Students’ Peace Association of Kenya (UCSPAK), and saw over 75 Universities and Colleges represented from across the country.

The two-day training initiative will be conducted by the IEBC and the NCIC, and will see the over 40 student leaders from the different universities trained on:

1. Voter registration and verification process,
2. Roles and responsibilities of the different elective positions,
3. Simulations and expectations during the voting process.
4. Voting results transmission and announcement,
5. IEBC preparedness for the 2022 elections,
6. Voting results declaration and
7. Peace education.

The event also doubled up as the official launch of the ‘Management of student affairs in higher learning institutions’ induction program. The curriculum of the induction program is being developed by the KSG in collaboration with Kenya Universities Deans of Students Association (KUDSA), and when complete will be undertaken by all elected university student leaders and all university deans of students.

Further, this program which has been developed by UCSPAK through the State Department for University Education and Research, will highly contribute to peace and cohesion in our institutions of higher learning especially during this electioneering period.

Also present in the event was Amb. Simon Nabukwesi CBS – Principal Secretary, State Department for University Education and Research, Mr. Allan Chacha – UCSPAK Founder and Executive Director, Professor. Nura Mohamed, Deputy Director General KSG, Mr. Mohamed A. Aden, Chairperson, KUDSA, Ms. Olive Metet – Lead trainer National Cohesion Integration Commission, Ms. Ann Nderitu – Registrar of Political Parties, deans of students from the various universities among others.

Speaking during the launch, Mr. Allan Chacha – UCSPAK Founder and Executive Director said each university member of UCSPAK is required to nominate 3 people to the association, two of whom will then be mandated to implement the agreed resolutions from the training in their respective universities.

Mohamed A. Aden, Chairperson, KUDSA while making his remarks said the training was aimed at influencing and creating positive change-makers who will become the peace and voter education ambassadors within their colleges during this election season.

Professor Nura Mohamed, Deputy Director General KSG said the institution, being the capacity-building arm of government, was keen to implement more collaborative programs with a view of catalyzing professional knowledge within its role of providing training, research, advisory, and consultancy services on emerging issues to the government and other stakeholders.

KEPSA DCEO Projects and Foundation, Ms. Martha Cheruto elaborated on the three objectives of the Mkenya Daima 2022 initiative:

1. Electing credible leaders guided by chapter 6 of the constitution of Kenya,
2. To influence political manifestos to focus on a people-centered and economy led transformation.
3. Ensure we have peaceful elections before, during, and after the elections for a smooth transition of leadership.

“Your vote might just be singular, but the right to vote comes with a mutual responsibility, to choose the right leader. Voting may be an individual choice but the impact is collective, meaning that good or bad leadership will affect all of us equally”, said Cheruto

“As Mkenya Daima our desire is to see all Kenyans taking responsibility by saying #NitatendaWajibuWangu, #Nitapigakura, #NitadumishaAmani na #Nitakubalimatokeo”, she concluded.

Also speaking during the event, the Registrar of Political Parties Ms. Ann Nderitu said, many more Kenyans are now interested beyond the boundaries of ethnic thinking for broader electoral participation because the time for ethnic thinking is in the past. In this regard, political tolerance must start with the young people in universities, especially noting that if we can change the mentality of the learned, then we shall change this country because they are the opinion shapers now and in the future.”

“Our clarion call to UCSPAK and the students being trained here today is that the youth must be seen as agents of peace and change during the campaigns.” She continued.

The Chief Guest, Amb. Simon Nabukwesi CBS, the Principal Secretary, State Department for University Education and Research, in his speech said, “It is a great initiative to train student leaders to champion and support peace in the election time. To talk about peace, one must believe in it, and not just talk but also take the desired action to achieve it. Indeed, an ounce of practice is better than a ton of preaching.”