Kitui County commemorated the International Day of Peace at Zombe Playgrounds in Kitui East Sub-County.
The commemoration was attended by the Governor of Kitui County, H.E. Dr. Julius Malombe, Mary Omari, Chief Liason Officer under the Protective and Defense Department from the National Counter Terrorism Center, development partners, community leaders and other stakeholders. The Kitui Regional Office of the National Gender and Equality Commission (NGEC) took part.
In his remarks, Malombe set out the importance of peaceful coexistence, unity and collective action in building a secure and prosperous Kitui County. He said sustainable development cannot be achieved where communities are divided, or unable to resolve their differences through dialogue.
A COLLECTIVE DUTY
The commemoration examined the role that individuals, communities and institutions play in promoting peaceful coexistence. It affirmed peace as a collective responsibility requiring continuous dialogue, unity, tolerance, mutual respect and the participation of communities in addressing the challenges affecting them.
INCLUSION IN PEACEBUILDING
The Commission said peace must be inclusive, and that women, young people, persons with disabilities, older persons, minorities and marginalised communities must be represented in peacebuilding, community policing and decision-making processes.
It said the experiences and perspectives of those groups are necessary to identifying emerging threats, preventing conflict and developing solutions that respond to the realities of communities.
The Commission said its participation reflects its work on equality, inclusion and non-discrimination as foundations for sustainable peace, and that communities which respect diversity and protect human dignity strengthen social cohesion and resilience against violence, insecurity and extremism.
