•The youth were instead told to foster unity and peace as the country heads to the general election next month.
•Ngochila told candidates to make good use of the courts and avoid using the youth to disrupt the peace.
Image: FILE
Nacada CEO Victor Okioma has urged the youth in Kisumu county to shun politicians who use them to cause violence during the campaigns.
The youth were instead told to foster peace and unity as the country heads to the general election next month.
The National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse CEO said the youth should engage in activities that can improve their lives.
“You should keep off politicians who buy you alcohol or drugs to perpetuate chaos in political rallies. This is a criminal activity which you should not be part of,” Okioma said.
He spoke during a meeting with youth leaders in a forum dubbed the “Sauti Yetu Youth for Peace” targeted at promoting peaceful elections devoid of alcohol and drug abuse.
Present were Nacada board chairperson Prof Mabel Imbuga, director Luo Nyanza region Dr George Ogalo and Nacada Nyanza regional manager Esther Okenye.
Nacada, Ministry of Interior, National Cohesion and Integration Commission and Youth Enterprise Development Fund are sponsoring the peace forum.
Okioma said the peace forum is being conducted in particular counties to champion a peaceful general election.
“We have seen youths involved in election violence and exploited as agents of violence and destruction by some politicians during campaigns and elections,” Okioma said.
He said they were engaging youth leaders from Kisumu to embrace unity and be champions of peace.
More than 500 youth from the Muhoroni, Seme, Kisumu Central, Nyakach, Kisumu West, Nyando and Kisumu East subcounties attended the forum.
The government administration officers told the young people of the importance of promoting peace in the August 9 polls.
Similar peace meetings have been conducted in Kericho, Eldoret and Nyamira counties with the team set to meet youth leaders in Central and Coast regions.
The selected counties, Okioma said, have been earmarked as potential hotspots for violence by the NCIC.
“We are meeting the youths because they are very crucial in having a peaceful election. We also want to listen to their plights and work together to enhance their economic and social well-being,” Okioma said.
Seme deputy county commissioner William Ngochila urged the youth to keep off criminal activities.
“We are putting such politicians and youths on notice that such criminal activities will not be tolerated. Youths must desist from being used to committing crimes before, during and after the election,” he said.
Ngochila told candidates to make good use of the courts and avoid using the youth to disrupt the peace.
“We have in place enough security officers to oversee a peaceful election process. We want all voters to come out and exercise their democratic right,” he said.
“As responsible citizens, your duty is to vote and go back home and continue with your normal duties as you wait for the election outcome."
He, however, noted that the county has had cases of cattle rustling and armed robberies in Muhoroni and Nyakach subcounties.
Ngochila said security has been beefed up in the county especially in the cattle rustling troubled areas.
(Edited by Tabnacha O)