Kiambu town residents have called on the national and county governments to initiate peace campaigns that will foster unity ahead of the 2017 elections.
The locals while reacting to information by National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) that Kiambu was among other 18 counties which have been mapped out as ‘problematic’ and likely to experience political violence in 2017, the locals said that there was need for appropriate measures to curb violence.
Speaking to this wroter on Tuesday, the locals urged NCIC to put in place mechanism that will prevent violence.
“NCIC should put in place strategies that will prevent violence instead starting to scare Kenyans,” said Morris Njeru, a resident in Kiambu town.
Mr Njeru said that NCIC is constitutionally mandated to spearhead unity among Kenyans.
He said that the report by NCIC on counties that are likely to witness violence should be acted on swiftly.
“The National Cohesion and Integration Commission should also act tough on politicians who make statements that divide Kenyans, said Enos Wabwire, a priest with a local church in Kiambu.
Mr Wambwire said that it was necessary for the government to act on the NCIC report and ensure peace prevails across the country ahead of the 2017 poll.
On Monday NCIC Chairman Francis Ole Kaparo said that a recent report conducted by the commission shows that political temperatures were steadily rising in Kiambu and other 18 counties ahead of the 2017 elections.
Other counties that have been identified as hot spots by NCIC are Mombasa, Kisumu, Homabay, Uasin Gishu, Kilifi, Lamu, Bungoma, Narok, Nakuru, Migori, Kakamega, West Pokot, Turkana and Isiolo.
Kaparo however assured that the commission is working round the clock to ensure that no county or region experiences violence during the 2017 polls.
The NCIC chairman indicated that the commission has employed over 100 peace monitors and observers who will be deployed across the 47 counties to monitor political campaigns ahead of the elections.
“We are carrying out massive public education on the need for peace before, during and after the elections,” he added during a press conference in Nairobi on Monday.