The Secretary, Peace Building and Conflict Management Directorate, Josephine Onunga, has rallied upon security agencies and local residents to work closely in promoting and safeguarding peace, security and stability in Nyando Sub-county in Kisumu.
Speaking during a stakeholder’s consultative forum on peace at the Ahero Social Hall on Friday, Onunga stressed that security is a shared responsibility, calling on residents and stakeholders to collaborate in strengthening social cohesion and promoting peaceful coexistence within the community.
“We are seeking homegrown solutions to the security challenges facing our communities. That is why we are bringing all stakeholders together to share ideas and collectively contribute towards creating a safer and more secure environment for everyone,” the Secretary said.
The meeting, organized by the National Steering Committee on Peacebuilding and Conflict Management, brought together representatives from the local administration leaders led by Nyando DCC Elijah Maranga, community peace committees, human rights defenders, youth and women groups.
Others were the religious leaders, the business community, religious leaders, persons with disabilities and community policing units brought together to deliberate on strategies for enhancing peace and security in the area.
She challenged the participants to take a proactive role in identifying practical and sustainable solutions to the security challenges affecting Ahero, Awasi and other areas facing similar threats.
According to Onunga, the peace forum was convened in response to a surge in insecurity incidents reported in Ahero Town and its surrounding areas in March 2026.
She noted that the rising insecurity triggered tensions and violent confrontations between a section of boda boda operators and youth gangs accused of terrorizing residents.
The clashes resulted in the deaths of five suspected gang members and a boda boda rider, raising concerns over the deteriorating security situation in Nyando Sub-County.
Onunga noted that young people can make up to 70 percent of Kenya’s population, making them a critical force in the country’s social and economic development.
However, she observed that majority of the youth are faced with unemployment challenges making them vulnerable to manipulation and exploitation by politicians.
She expressed concern that the campaign period poses significant risks especially for the young people, who get lured by politicians to serve as security agents despite lacking the necessary training and expertise.
Onunga underscored the need to actively engage young people in peacebuilding campaigns to prevent violence and safeguard social and economic activities.
“We aspire to have peace even during campaign periods so that businesses can operate normally and all socio-economic activities can proceed without disruption. This can be achieved by empowering the youth to become drivers of peace and peace ambassadors within their communities,” she said.
According to the Secretary, the County and national governments have rolled out various programs, aimed at addressing youth unemployment, including the Affordable Housing Program (AHP) and NYOTA projects.
She noted that the AHP has created employment opportunities for thousands of young people, particularly those with technical skills such as carpentry, masonry, welding, and plumbing, enabling them to earn a sustainable livelihood.
Onunga explained that skilled youths accredited by the State Department for Housing have been engaged at Affordable Housing Project sites across the country, providing them with meaningful employment while helping to curb crime and substance abuse among young people.
“Individuals with skills such as carpentry, masonry, welding, and plumbing have been employed at Affordable Housing Project sites. This initiative not only provides livelihoods but also contributes to reducing crime rate and drug abuse among the youth,” she said.
The Deputy County Commissioner on his part, also urged local residents to support the security agencies by providing timely information and evidence to help investigators build strong cases that can lead to the successful prosecution of offenders.
Maranga expressed concern over the rising cases of gender-based violence, especially in the rural areas, noting that many perpetrators go unpunished due to inadequate evidence and the reluctance of victims or witnesses to cooperate with investigators.
To address these challenges, he said the administrative unit, leverages the grassroots structures like the community peace committees, chiefs and assistant chiefs to sensitize residents on the importance of peaceful coexistence, crime prevention and community participation in maintaining security.
This, Maranga added, has played a significant role in eradicating various forms of crime and strengthening peace and social cohesion within communities.
By Robert Ojwang
