Maendeleo ya Wanawake organisation (MYWO) has put together a National Peace Advisory Team to advocate for peaceful elections.
In a joint Press Statement read by MYWO National Chairperson Rahab Muiu, the organisation pledged to be at the forefront of upholding peace in the country.
"The purpose of forming this team is to advocate for peace this election period as Kenya has a history of violence in periods like these," said Muiu.
Muiu said the organisation would be working to hold consultative engagements with stakeholders in the electoral process in order to see a peaceful and fair election period.
“We will engage with IEBC, Political Leadership, Registrar of Political Parties, NCIC, Women, Security Sector, Community leaders, Media, Religious Community and Youth to ensure we spread the message of peace,” she said.
Muslim Scholar Sheikh Ibrahim Lethome is part of the team formed.
He said that as an organisation, MYWO had seen a lot happen since its establishment in 1952.
“According to data from UNDP and UN Women in 2012, more than 1300 people were killed and over 350,000 were internally displaced. We do not wish to see this happen again,” he said.
The Organisation will be celebrating 70 years since its formation in 1952.
Muiu said that as a celebration, they have launched a year-long programme leveraging on their robust grassroots network.
“We plan to mobilise women to participate in National Dialogue and Campaigns including Voter Education, elimination of gender-based violence, combating divisive politics and participating in peacebuilding processes,” she said.
Muiu said that the team will be front and centre in this peace initiative by being the first to call out and report incitement to violence.
“We shall employ timely response to incidences that are likely to provoke violence and we shall start this right away,” she said.
Muiu added that as mothers and grandmothers of Kenyan youth, they were obligated to protect them from incitement and violence if it erupts.
“This country is now yours (the youth) and we as elderly citizens, our job is to keep it same for you as you get ready to claim it,” she said.