The Planning Committee for International Day of Peace (IDoP) 2026 in Uasin County is reaching out to all peace stakeholders, to ensure successful celebrations to mark the global peace event on 21 September at Ngarwa in Ainabkoi/Olare ward, Ainabkoi sub-County.
Speaking Thursday at the County Commissioner’s Boardroom, during the planning meeting, Kapseret DCC Edonga Nanok, who chaired the meeting on behalf of the County Commissioner, noted that peace was a fragile treasure comparable to a glass as it can be destroyed by even a small force if not well taken care of.
“This is something we should all fight together as ambassadors of peace to preserve especially ahead of the upcoming General Election,” he said.
DCC Nanok encouraged all members to become ambassadors of peace by preaching and promoting peace among the communities they live in while at the same time discouraging and avoiding divisive utterances aimed at causing disunity among people.
He said this year’s global peace event with the theme “Invest in Peace – For Everyone, Everywhere, Every Day” will play a key role in promoting peace and sensitizing members of the communities both in Uasin Gishu and Kenya at large on the importance of peace and unity as the core foundations for national development especially as the country heads for next year’s general election.
He emphasized on the need for cultivating a peaceful and stable environment where people can live, work, and invest without fear. “Let’s invest for peace everywhere every day. Let’s invest to ensure peace prevails. We are all children of one God, we should not accept ethnicity to divide us, we are one,” added DCC Nanok.
County Peace Monitor, Viola Sang, urged the committee members to utilize social channels to highlight messages of peace and create awareness of the IDoP 2026 event and encourage residents to attend the event and learn more about the importance of peace as an agent of socio- economic development.
Ms Sang urged stakeholders to utilize the celebrations to strengthen community dialogue and encourage residents to embrace peaceful approaches to resolving conflicts.
Senior Assistant County Commissioner (S/ACC) for Ainabkoi Division, Caroline Birir, reminded participants that peace building is a lifelong process saying it requires concerted efforts to change minds of the people and the society as a whole by preaching peace through sharing of positive messages and encouraging communities in the cosmopolitan county to live in harmony and unity.
Uasin Gishu County Director for Gender, Emmy Biwott, affirmed the county administration’s commitment to peace building through various peace initiatives at the grassroot level aimed at promoting peaceful coexistence.
She emphasized the need to invest in peace building noting that if it is destroyed the most affected people will be women, children, the elderly and the persons living with disabilities and these people form a fundamental part of the society.
“The County government is committed to peace building. Let’s be the solution ourselves, let’s be ambassadors of peace,” noted the Gender Director.
Yonah Odek, Director at the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI) Uasin Gishu Chapter, highlighted the importance of peace in ensuring a successful business environment.
He affirmed KNCCI’s commitment to promoting messages of peace to all members of the business community in Uasin Gishu and the whole country to ensure peace prevails before, during and after elections.
On her part, Agatha Mukami, an aspirant for Huruma Ward MCA seat, called on peace stakeholders to embrace innovative ways of preaching peace citing her example of preaching about patriotism through flag symbols on nails, necklaces, wrist bands and clothes.
Other organization present include; Kapsoya Youth For Change, Rural Women Peace Link, Eldohub, NCCK, Ten Folds CBO, SHOFCO (Shining Hope for Communities), SANDANAA, Way of Peace, Jikaze Foundation, Lean on Women, Daystar Widows, Girl Transform, and others.
The stakeholders also emphasized the importance of grassroots initiatives, community engagement and daily acts of compassion in promoting lasting peace.
By Ekuwam Sylvester
