The National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) has urged Kenyans to put elections behind them and forge unity.
The commission says it is time for healing, and live together, while shunning election differences.
“After elections, a lot of things happen which affect your life. As NCIC, we have to exploit our mandate by engaging the people to embrace life after election,” he said.
Commissioner Phillip Okundi said the commission has been going round the country engaging the people in a bid to forge a way towards a united country.
An election is a contest, similar to that of several men seeking to marry one lady. Only one wins
Phillip Okundi
According to Okundi, the electioneering period brought with it hate contents amid heated competitions.
“What we do not want to see, is that people feel that they are so hungry, that they would resort to violence,” said Okundi.
“This is coming after a general election which was hotly contested. Nonetheless, life must continue,” he added.
But with the elections now gone, he says people must reflect so as to resume normal lives.
Okundi spoke in Kisumu during a media engagement on hate speech, racial contempt, and peaceful coexistence.
Role of the media
Okundi noted that any attempts to disrupt peace after elections may impact negatively on the people who expect services from the government.
“When we are paying taxes, we are the same, and we have to be careful how the taxes are applied to affect our lives,” he said.
Okundi said the media has a huge role in promoting coexistence, and educating the people on election matters.
“An election is a contest, similar to that of several men seeking to marry one lady. Only one wins,” he said.
When we are paying taxes, we are the same, and we have to be careful how the taxes are applied to affect our lives
He noted that the commission has since worked on a report on the election which points out the successes and failures in the election.
He said the report will be circulated and discussed with the people so as to let them understand the process.
“This is part of the post-election healing process, and we would want to see people discuss and engage peacefully,” he said.