Peace summit to be held in Nyanza to mark a year of handshake.

Program Coordinator for the Center for Peace-building and strategic Studies Sam Owaka-File Photo.

 By Dickson Odhiambo.

February 25, 2019.

 Peace summit to be held in Nyanza to mark a year of handshake.

THE Civil Societies and Faith Based Organizations in Nyanza plans to hold a three day Peace Summit in Kisumu in April this year to mark one year Anniversary of the symbolic handshake between President Uhuru Kenyatta and Opposition Chief Raila Odinga.

The Nyanza Peace Summit under the theme “Building Bridges: Harnessing the Demographic Dividends for Peace and Cohesion through Youth and Women Socio-Economic Empowerment” will be convened under the auspices of the Amai Wajibu Wangu Forum.

In a Press statement to the Newsrooms today, Program Coordinator for the Center for Peace-building and strategic Studies Sam Owaka says this is a multi-sectorial platform for Peace and National Cohesion Advocacy in Kenya that seeks to among other things, sustain the momentum on the newfound resolute unity between the National leaders.

He says this will be through sustained socio-cultural understanding and inter-ethnic dialogue, Youth/Women socio-economic empowerment as a precursor for National Development and Unity.

“The endorsement of H.E. Uhuru Kenyatta as the UN Global Ambassador for Youth Empowerment, at the recently concluded UN 73^rd Session Mandela Centenary Summit and the Rt. Hon. Raila Odinga as the AU Special Envoy for Infrastructure and Development indeed provides the impetus for Youth and Women Empowerment,” the statement say.

Owaka says the Summit will also bring together Youth/ women representatives from  across the Lake region, elected leaders, Community Elders from the Luo, Kikuyu, Kalenjin, Kuria, and Luhyia Communities, Church leaders, Professionals and the National Administration. 

“The March 9, 2018 handshake indeed de-escalated tensions, pacified and stabilized the Country. Undoubtedly our Counties which were worst hit by political related violence are now at peace and ready for Investment and trade thereby spurring economic growth besides creating jobs for our most vulnerable groups,” the statement adds.

He further says the three day Summit has been structured to include a Presidential Panel, Sector Specific Panel, Focus Group Discussions and a Skill/Job Expo intended to provide insights on Youth/Women socio- economic Interventions as well as showcasing capacity /skill development initiatives.

“In order to focus the deliberations, the Organizers have identified the ICT, Agriculture/ Agribusiness, Sports, Culture and Heritage, Tourism, Blue Economy, Creative Industry as sectors with the potential to leverage Youth socio-economic empowerment. The Big 4 Agenda is indeed a critical component of these Interventions, and we will dedicate a whole session for conversations around it,’ it further says.

The Summit will similarly include an interactive Session with leadership of the Country, Governors Round table with Donors/Diplomatic Corps, a Parliamentary Youth/ Women Round table among other innovative side and main events.

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