Bloggers Urged to Use Their Platforms to Preach Peace Ahead of the August Polls
Uasin Gishu County Eminent Persons Panel in partnership with the International Republican Institute, IRI on Tuesday held an engagement with Uasin Gishu County bloggers to persuade them to use their online platforms in spreading peace ahead of the August 9th polls.
Speaking to the press Uasin Gishu County Eminent Persons Panel chairman, Willy Kenei, urged bloggers to use their platforms and influential capabilities to spread messages of peace and cohesiveness to the entire country.
“Bloggers carry the face of the country therefore I call upon them to use every means they have to preach peace before and after the elections. So far we have not yet experienced any form of online violence in our county and this is commendable. As a panel, we also appreciate the county security team for their good work of ensuring that there are no political tensions in this year’s campaigning period,” Kenei Said.
Kenyans were urged to be at the forefront in maintaining tranquility and peace before, during, and after August.
“We know that there is freedom of expression in our country and we respect this but people should be mindful of what they post on social media platforms. Inciting comments that will cause unrest among the people is unacceptable,” said Professor Ahmed Ferej, a lecturer at the University of Eldoret.
Bloggers were urged to practice ethics at all times in their work to promote national unity without being biased.
“We, as bloggers, have agreed to relay information on our platforms with utmost transparency. We promise to advocate for peaceful elections,” added Emmanuel Lemiso Sato, a blogger.
“Kenyans should know and understand that in a race there must be a winner and a loser. Therefore, we should embrace the poll results positively regardless of who will win,” Silvanus Wasonga a priest in the Catholic Diocese of Eldoret said.
The youth were also advised to be ambassadors of peace during the forthcoming general elections.
“ For years the youth have been used for political incitements but times have changed. It is good that this year the youth have been able to stand firm on their decision to spread peace and this shows that we, as a country we are slowly improving,” Yassin Hassan, coordinator Uasin Gishu County Eminent person stated.
The one-week programme targeted the previously listed counties that are suspected to face violence in the forthcoming elections by the National Cohesion and Integration Commission.
By Cynthia Ochieng and Elvis Wasike
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