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Youths in the informal settlements have been urged to influence the politicians into promoting positive ethnicity as an alternative to violence. 

This is one of the main messages that Alice Anukur of Alternative to Violence Trust had for the young people who attended a peace promotion programme organised by the Trust at Friends International Centre in Nairobi on Thursday.

The event was basically for validation of a baseline survey findings and recommendations for a peace programme set to kick off in target areas in Kenya.

In attendance were focus youth groups from Kibera, Mathare, and Western Kenya among other areas. Anuku involved the youth in open discussion on non-violent ways of dealing with conflicts especially in areas prone to political incitements. Among the participants were members of Undugu Family peace group from Kibra.

“The youths should take an initiative of maintaining a conflict-free environment. They should influence the politicians and not the other way round; this would be a sure strategy to stay away from violence that are normally ignited by those seeking political positions,” she said.

The young people are also encouraged to attend trainings that are organised by various organisations promoting peace in Kenya.

“It has come out from our youth themselves that in most cases they fail to attend peace keeping workshops and trainings if they are not assured monetary facilitation. We should seize such opportunities so that we get enlighten,” she added.

Addressing the press during the event, she said that the Alternative to Violence Programme Trust is currently focusing on schools and colleges with a project known as Help Increase the Peace Project, an initiative that is aimed at involving the young people in activities which enables them to understand the underlying cause of conflict and alternative ways of response to such conflict.