Kenya, UN partner to launch peace platform to curb electoral violence

Published: March 10,2022

Kenya and the United Nations on Tuesday launched a platform for peace to curb electoral violence during the upcoming general elections hhh polls slated for August 9.

Walid Badawi, resident representative at the United Nation Development Programme (UNDP) Kenya said in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, that the world body will provide financial and technical support for the conflict prevention and response initiative.

“The platform will provide an early warning and response mechanism for potential conflict that may erupt in the coming electioneering period,” Badawisaid.

According to the UN official, Kenya remains susceptible to electoral violence as political campaigns have emerged as confrontational spaces.

Badawi observed that the initiative will identify potential hotspots across the country in order to eliminate the risk of electoral violence.

Samuel Kobia, chairperson of the state-owned National Cohesion and Integration Commission said that platform for peace is seized by the fact that the 2022 presidential election will likely present peace and security challenges.

“This is not just a Kenyan problem; experience globally has shown that elections are divisive and polarizing,” Kobia said.

Xinhua