• Nacada is sensitising youth in 10 counties to avoid political influence and abuse of drugs and alcohol.
• Okioma said politicians must prioritise peace and unity during the election period.
Bishops and Imams in Rift Valley want bars and clubs shut down during the election period so all Kenyans can participate in the polls without any form of influence.
The clergymen, led by Bishop George Gichana and chairman of the Imams Abubakar Bini, said the government should ensure political leaders will not use alcohol to influence mostly youth.
Gichana said alcoholism and abuse of drugs may also contribute to insecurity.
“We are discouraging alcohol, drugs and any form of violence that may disrupt the achievements we have made in the last few years,” he said.
Gichana spoke during a sensitisation meeting of more than 500 youth leaders in Eldoret. The meeting was hosted by NCIC, Nacada and the county government.
Bini said widespread abuse of drugs and alcohol had been a major factor contributing to insecurity in most areas in the country.
“We cannot have peace and unity when we let our youth live under the influence of alcohol and drugs. That is why we agree with the proposal to have all bars and clubs shut down for some days during the elections period,” he said.
Nacada is sensitising youth in 10 counties to avoid political influence and abuse of drugs and alcohol.
CEO Victor Okioma said they have teamed up with NCIC and county leadership to hold sensitisation meetings in Uasin Gishu, Kisumu, Nakuru and Mombasa, among others.
He said politicians must prioritise peace and unity during the election period.
“We will go to all counties that have been listed as hotspot so that we listen to our youth about the challenges that cause violence during elections. We also urge our political leaders to help us in this venture,” Okioma said.
The government has assured Kenyans, investors and foreign visitors that road transport operations, airports and hospitals, among other key infrastructure institutions, will operate normally during the elections.
Uasin Gishu county commissioner Stephen Kihara said security teams have been deployed to ensure smooth movement of goods and people along the Northern Corridor road.
He said the Northern Corridor road passing through Eldoret and Eldoret International Airport is key and operations will continue smoothly.
Transparency International has also joined calls for peace and unity in the country during and after the August 9 polls.
TI's Alex Yator said most Kenyans are interested in a good economy, peace and unity rather than engaging in acts that destabilise the country.
Yator said TI had hosted forums for candidates and the electorate in parts of the country to discuss leadership, peace and unity, among other development programmes.
Edited by A.N