Peace march meeting in Vihiga county, kenya.

After two very Successful Peace Circles in Vihiga County,  the Creators of Peace Vihiga women's group, which was registered  four  years ago  by some women who participated in a Peace Circles, organized for a major Peace March and the reason was of what is happening in Kenya, planned demonstrations by the Gen z recently because of the high cost of living as the major problem facing our country, youth unemployment, transparency and accountability. Furthermore, Kenya’s robust growth before the covid-19 pandemic was largely driven by the public sector, resulting in debt vulnerabilities which have exacerbated amid tightening Kenya’s financing conditions.

The demonstrations led to many deaths, so the women decided in the midst of all happening we need peace within ourselves and amongst us to enable us listen to one another with deeper understanding.

The  procession began at 9.00 am on the 3rd of August 2024 from Kegoye primary school through to ST Claires Maragoli Girls where the Security officers and other partners joined the match to the business district.

The peace match made headlines in several TV and radio stations in western Kenya. It also attracted lots of people as it formed  basis of publicizing the peace agenda to residents. The match came in at the time when the country is facing consistent street protests led by Gen Z group.

With strength and vigor, the matching party mainly composed of women walked in Vihiga town singing peaceful songs  led by the Salvation Army band.

One after another, adorned in African attires  Naomi, Ruth, Esther and  Abigael women groups came to the podium performing and showcasing lessons learnt from the week long peace circles.

Naomi women group majors in supporting the less fortunate in the community from proceeds of their agricultural projects as well as carrying out merry-go-round financial boost program to uplift their livelihood.

Ruth women group support each other through welfare contributions meant to sustain members offset burial expenses and wedding costs. They too carry out merry go round saving plan among themselves.

Esther women group has a poultry project, vegetable farming as well as they do shopping for members from their savings plans.

Abigael women group also do table banking projects, merry go round. This group also has a saving plan from firewood selling program.

The event was graced by Mr Malenge  a peace lead in the county whose efforts have gone a long way to support peace programs in the region, he offered to support a section of the women groups as well as voice their concerns to the local authority. M r Malenge Said that the community had experienced lots of insecurity and social based violence in recent times and asked the residents to embrace dialogue as a conflict resolution mechanism.

The women have been pivotal in conflict resolution through such programs.

The graduates received certificates crowning their efforts to study and put peace in practice.

Report By Angela Munyeti,Rose Kamau and Mediatrix Masava.