By: Emily Mikwa
Kisumu County played host to the third transgenerational talks organized by the UNDP, NCIC and KBC at the Mama Grace Onyango Social Centre.
The conversations were embraced by the residents as important sessions that help to curb conflicts, bridge the gap between generations, promote peaceful co existence and that it lays a peaceful path for Kenya.
Speaking During the session aired live on KBC, the Deputy Governor Dr. Mathew Owili, who represented Governor Nyong’o thanked the Gen Zs for bringing the people back on the table to talk .
He also thanked the NCIC team for the effort made to restore peace in Kisumu that had been stereotyped as the epi centre for chaos.
He affirmed that today Kisumu enjoys the peace and has experienced growth and development.
On his part, the chairman for NCIC , Dr. Samuel Kobia asked the Gen Zs to embrace the talks because it’s the way people understand each other and on policy making he urged the youths that the process normally starts at the local level hence they need to participate
However, during the talks, the youths emphasized their concerns on the need of accountability on the part of elected leaders, and having youths involved in all spheres of governance.
The youths further underscored that they are not inherently antagonistic to leadership but there is needed for political decency and unity. They also called on leaders to act on the recommendations from the talks
The women voiced the need for equality in leadership while urging the youths to uphold cultural values. They also raised the erupting Nyakach – Kericho border conflicts that has caused women and children to bear scars of pain and widowhood.
Concerning police brutality and mistrust among the youths, Eng. Phillip Okundi of NCIC said he is optimistic that continuous talks among generations will create harmonious co existence and even mitigate chaos caused by hate speech.
