Kenya: Foreign Residents Appeal for Peace Ahead of Polls

By Elisha Ratemo

NAIROBI--Foreign nationals residing in Kenya have called for the uphold of peace as the country readies for next general elections due in weeks, following previous polls that were marred with violence.

The appeal comes amid fears of renewal of a scene similar to the one in 2007/8 when the country descended into inter-ethnic violence , following disputed presidential elections where more than 1,300 people were killed and over 600,000 displaced in weeks of clashes.

A movement of foreign residents in Kenya, the Kenya Foreign Residents Campaign for Peace (KFRCP) is taking to task the initiative of preaching peace among citizens of Kenya and want other foreign groups to join in the petition.

In a statement released on Wednesday 30 January, the group called on Kenyan citizens to embrace peace in the country during and after the election period set to begin on March 4, saying its stability will far fetch much development in the entire region.

“We are requesting all Kenyans especially the youth and politicians to conduct peaceful campaigns and peaceful election as well as results of the voting. Kenyans need to embrace peace to become center of democracy in East Africa and Great lakes region. Kenya’s stability will enhance peace and development in the region.”

Mathiang Mayom, a South Sudan national and director of the movement said during a press conference held at Shalom House in Nairobi on Wednesday that stability in Kenya means peace also for asylum seekers who have run away from conflicts in their own countries.

“Some of us have found second home in Kenya. We came here in search for peace, having seen what war can do to a country. We don’t want Kenya to go down that way.”

The group demanded the citizens to uphold the status of the country that has been epitomized for long as an island of peace in the region, bearing its crucial role in peaceful mediations that have seen restoration of peace in conflicting neighbouring nations.

“The government and citizens [of Kenya] have initiated many peace deals in the region, for example the peace in Sudan that led to the new born nation, South Sudan which had been at war for five decades, the Burundi peace talks and current intervention in Somalia.”

Kenya played a key mediation role in the Sudan conflict that ended with signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) in 2003 that paved way South Sudan’s independence in July 2011 under a referendum.

Recent incursion of Kenya Defense Forces into Somalia in search of Islamist group al-Shabab has paved way for restoration of order under a new government in Somalia, which has been lawless since fall of last legitimate government in 1991.

The group added that the country needed to uphold peace in order to safe guard and realize the laid down plans for development that are set to turn to turn the country into a middle income economy.

“There is no way you build your own house and then set it on fire or destroy it simply of individual influence. The vision 2030 and plans of Konza city will only be achieved if there is peace in Kenya.”

Kenya vision 2030 is the country’s development blueprint launched in 2008 that is set to transform the eastern Africa economic hub to middle-income level, providing high quality life to all its citizens by the year 2030.

Recently the country launched a $14.5 billion project in line with Vision 2030, to build a new IT business hub dubbed ‘Africa’s Silicon Savannah’ at Konza, 60km from the capital, Nairobi. It is hoped that more than 20,000 IT jobs will be created in Konza by 2015, and more than 200,000 jobs by 2030.

KFRCP says it intends to employ roadshows, sporting activities and rallies targeting areas identified as potential hotspots for violence, as part of its campaign advocating for peace in Kenya.

The group also appealed to other foreign players in the country to join hands in ensuring that peace is maintained during and after the elections adding that it would equally affect even foreigners in case of unrest.

“Moreover we are Watching Kenya turn to different routes driven by politics, we will not pursue any diplomatic activities, learning nor doing any investment if Kenya is in political/tribal clashes.”