Likoni sub-county security Chiefs yesterday led Peace Day celebrations in Likoni as this year marked the 25th anniversary of International Day of Peace.

The event was held to emphasize the importance of peace within the country and beyond and the need for peaceful coexistence amongst different communities. Likoni is one of the sub-counties in Mombasa that is known for juvenile criminal gangs.

In his address, Likoni sub-county Deputy County Commissioner Mathew Wambugu stressed the significance of a multi-sectoral approach to peace and security through established structures.

As he assured residents of the government’s dedication to achieving peaceful coexistence, Wambugu highlighted peace as the basis for development.

The sub-county security chair called upon youth to use this opportunity to equip themselves with skills through the available Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges to enable them become competitive in the upcoming Dongo Kundu Special Economic Zone as a means to promote lasting peace.

He, however, said over 750 youth were already undergoing training in different colleges across the sub-county through the sponsorship of Kenya Ports Authority.

This year’s theme was Cultivating a Culture of Peace, It’s believed that wars begin in the minds of men, so it is in the minds of men that the defences of peace must be constructed to foster peace.

Likoni sub-county police commander Geoffrey Ruheni also emphasized the significance of a multi-sectoral approach towards fostering peace within and outside Likoni.

He stated the vital role of peaceful coexistence between the community and police, underscoring the importance of the theme for the day.

Ruheni urged the youths to put their energies in upgrading their educational skills instead of involving themselves in criminal activities. He warned them of the dangers of fingerprint screening by police which could prevent them from securing employment.

“You can not get a government job without a certificate of good conduct, which is now called the police clearance certificate. Most employers have now made it compulsory for job seekers to have, ” Ruheni said.

The event later extended to Mwahima stadium, where youths from Mombasa and kwale counties engaged in sports activities to celebrate the day through Kujenga Amani Project.

According to Muslim Women Advancement of Rights and Protection – MWARP’s, Communication and Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, Fahad Saidi Changi, Kujenga Amani is a digital forum for the exchange of ideas and information on peacebuilding in Africa.

Changi said the project integrates the contributions and role of young women and men in peacebuilding.

He said, with the help of stakeholders and local authorities, all the girls and boys involved in the project can take part in different scholastic activities and sports competitions, with sport and school being two environments in which peacekeeping and nonviolence can be discussed.

The communications officer also said that through the project, a tremendous decline in cases of insecurity has been witnessed. He said further added that most children who had dropped out of school have gone back and that the general performance in schools in Mombasa and kwale had improved.

A Peacebuilding Agency has coordinated and facilitated a conflict analysis of the Swahili coastal area in Kenya, Tanzania, and Mozambique. CEFA has coordinated anthropological research in the entire target area.

‘The project is expected to continue until 2026, and will see community awareness events, inter-regional activities, involving local authorities and stakeholders, trainers and religious leaders, being facilitated with CEFA, Global Religion for Children Foundation (GRFC), Samba Sport, Muleide and Muslim Women for Advancement of Rights and Protection (MWARP)’Changi said.

Jescah Otieno, the Deputy Director of Research at the National Cohesion and Integration Commission echoed the message of empowering the community, especially the youth, and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to collaborating with partners She urged all attendees to become ambassadors of peace.

Likoni Sub-County Peace, cohesion, and security chair Walter Kurts was among other senior officials present.
Also present were Officer Commanding Station (OCS) Shelly Beach police station Danis Tangai, resentatives from partner organizations, such as Likoni Multisectoral Peace and Security Committee among others.

Witten By: Peter Maseke.