On 25^th June 2022, the Mkenya Daima Initiative participated in the Peace and Reconciliation Assembly for the Youth (P.R.A.Y) event at Mama Grace Onyango Social Centre in Kisumu City. With an aim to mobilize the youth, educate and inspire peaceful elections, the P.R.A.Y 2022 edition was organised by One Nation Under God (ONUG) in partnership with other pro-peace organisations.

The Mkenya Daima team was represented by Ms. Martha Cheruto – KEPSA Deputy CEO – Foundation together with Mr. Duncan Mochama – Youth Representative, Mkenya Daima Steering Committee. Other leaders present during the event were Mr. Elisha Ojwang – Chair, P.R.A.Y Committee; Mr. Arthur Oyange – Country Director, ONUG; Mr. Solomon Mudanya – County Manager, Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC); religious leaders and youth drawn from Kisumu County as well as neighbouring counties.

The event was preceded by a peace procession from the County Commissioners’ office, through the city and to the social hall. In his welcoming remarks, Mr Ojwang hailed the young men and women for their decision to work for peace. He also said that P.R.A.Y was looking into empowering young people who in turn would be ambassadors of peace at the grassroots.

Ms. Martha Cheruto highlighted the importance of electing good and accountable leaders while encouraging the young voters to choose wisely so that they can have leaders who have the interests of the public at heart. Ms. Cheruto also emphasized the importance of a peaceful election and a smooth transition of power, especially for the young generation. “Kisumu has so many business opportunities and potential for growth, the question on the ballot should be, are you voting for someone who will give you the model county that you are asking for?” She posed.

Mr. Duncan Mochama applauded the youth for demonstrating and sending a clear message of peace not only to the city of Kisumu but also to the entire nation. He also added that this move will inspire many more youths to join the bandwagon. Mr. Mochama added that historically, many initiatives that start in Kisumu have had a national impact, alluding to the fact that if youth in Kisumu choose peace, then this will have a huge effect on the rest of the country.

The event also featured topical issues on matters of leadership that was facilitated by religious leaders, the role of youth in peace building that was handled by the NCIC representative and matters of elections, that was facilitated by the IEBC representative.

Later, the Mkenya Daima team met with Imara Africa Fellowship representatives on areas of mutual collaboration. Imara Africa is a leadership development program collaboratively convened by Siasa Place, Africa Youth Leadership Forum (AYLF) and Mark Appeal Group. The three entities are respectively a CSOs, (SP) focused on advocacy through education and capacity building, targeted program implementation, a leadership Trust (AYLF), working in the broader East Africa region with a focus on developing skills and values amongst young leaders and a Social Consultancy (MA), with a distinct model that designs high impact programs and leverages assets, talents, and in-kind services through strategic alliances and creative collaboration.