A graffiti artist paints a peace slogan on a road in Kibera, Nairobi. The initiative seeks to preach peace ahead of August. [Photo/ kelvinbrown.net]
A youth organisation supporting peace will launch its Mombasa chapter in July as the country moves closer to holding one of the closely contested presidential elections since independence.
Peaceful 254 said on Saturday the launch will take place at a popular hospitality facility and will be attended by civic society organisations campaigning for peace in Mombasa.The organisation’s coordinator Otieno Owino said the group, which mainly comprises of youth between 18 and 30 years will traverse Mombasa telling residents benefits of maintaining peace before, during and after polls.Besides, the organisation will also use graphics, signs and writing to spread the message of peace, Otieno said in an interview with a local radio station.“We resolved to use graphics, writings and signs because it is easy to interpret,” he said.“We aim at stopping violence which mostly affects youth because they are continuously at the centre.”Apart from preaching peace, Peaceful 254, Otieno added, will be spreading messages denouncing crime and prostitution among young people.“Peaceful 254 also aims at preventing crime and prostitution among young Kenyans. These are criminal acts that the long arm of the law always reaches to,” he added.He said the organisation chose to open shop in Mombasa because of the high voltage campaigns that the county has recently experienced adding that the lobby will also launch networks in Kisumu and Eldoret town in Uasin Gishu County.Otieno told politicians to desist from engaging youth in criminal activities during campaigns.