An NGO has sensitized community elders from eighteen counties on the integration of culture and tradition to advocate for peace ahead of the 2017 elections.

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They include Kuria, Luhya, Kisii, Pokomo, Gikuyu, Luo and Mijikenda elders.

Trust for Indigenous, Culture and Health director Maryanne Burris said elders should be at fore-front in championing for peaceful coexistence among ethnic communities in the 47 counties.

Burris said TICAH trains elders on how to link tradition, culture and healing as they create space to youth and women in the society without looking into their ethnic backgrounds.

She addressed the press at Mlolongo town, Machakos County on Thursday.

Burris said the initiative intended to roll to all the 47 counties will ensure national cohesion and integration during and after the electioneering period.

“We are leading the way by engaging elders in advocating for national cohesion and integration. If you watch news from outside the world, people think there is hatred in Kenya,” said Burris.

She said there is need to create spaces where elders can meet and sensitize young people on need to live peacefully and shun violence amongst themselves.

“All generations should be celebrated in the counties especially the elderly who have been ignored in many communities which do not recognize their resourcefulness, majority have wisdom and can save the society against various tragedies before they strike,” said Burris.

Burris said the organization recently launched a “peace circle” at Uhuru Gardens in Nairobi to create space where elders from various communities all over the country can occasionally meet and discuss peace.

“We asked elders to bring in stones from their communities during construction of the circle as a sign of togetherness,” said Burris.

She said they have direct connections of more than 700 elders from 42 tribes in the country.

Burris said TICAH will ensure peace circles are created in all the 47 counties to allow elders sensitize others on peace building for national cohesion and integration.

“Kenya is already polarized politically, bringing elders together solidifies the link since it builds relationships and promotes unity,” said Burris.