NCIC Warns of Grave Threat as Criminal Gangs Resurge in Coastal Urban Areas
“Their reformation and involvement in criminal activities jeopardize the delicate social fabric,” cautioned the NCIC.
Courtesy:The Star
The National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) has issued a comprehensive statement delineating the present status of peace and cohesion in Kenya. Charged with cultivating equality, harmonious relations, and peaceful coexistence among Kenya’s diverse populace, the NCIC has underscored six significant challenges impacting social cohesion as the country traverses the midpoint of 2024.
The resurgence of criminal gangs, notably in urban locales such as the Coastal region, poses a grave threat. “Their reformation and involvement in criminal activities jeopardize the delicate social fabric,” cautioned the NCIC. The Peace to the City Initiative endeavors to address this concern, with a Vulnerable Youth Summit slated for Nairobi in July 2024, followed by analogous endeavors in other major urban centers.
The NCIC has observed a decline in hate speech attributable to sustained public engagement, although incidents persist. The commission reported 67 cases, with 43 under investigation and several others at various stages of resolution. Social media remains a focal point, with numerous cases flagged for discrimination, incitement, and dissemination of misinformation.
Concerning floods and their repercussions, the NCIC noted that despite lower-than-anticipated devastation from El Niño, the rains of 2024 induced severe flooding, resulting in the destruction of residences, farmlands, and infrastructure, including educational institutions, thereby delaying their reopening. “The societal distress and emotional toll on numerous Kenyans due to fatalities, displacement, and loss of livelihoods will require extensive healing,” stated the commission. The NCIC criticized past administrations for inadequate preparedness and denounced irresponsible activities such as construction on riparian lands.
Furthermore, the NCIC highlighted an escalation in insecurity and banditry in regions like Kerio Valley, Samburu, Isiolo, and Meru, which have claimed over 75 lives and displaced many. Schools have shuttered, and enterprises ceased operations. The NCIC implored perpetrators to lay down arms and called upon local leaders to facilitate dialogue.
The commission urged the National Survey of Kenya to definitively demarcate boundaries to resolve boundary disputes, which persist as a significant source of conflict. The NCIC has delineated disputes in regions such as Kericho-Kisumu and Isiolo-Meru, often manifesting as ethnic conflicts. Actively pursuing strategies outlined in their “Amani Kwa Ground 2022-2025” blueprint, the NCIC is resolving boundary-related disputes. Successful endeavors, like the Sondu Peace Process, have witnessed local leaders pledging peace commitments and devising plans for the establishment of a Peace Park. Additionally, the commission is addressing recent violent conflicts in Narok and Migori through dialogues and reconciliation efforts.
Reaffirming its dedication to upholding peace and cohesion in Kenya, the NCIC underscores the importance of solidifying achievements garnered over the years. A study on the Social Cohesion Index, slated for release within the next six months, aims to furnish a contemporary assessment of social cohesion among Kenyan communities
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