Mombasa Sub-County Deputy County Commissioner (DCC) Kalume Kashuru has called on residents to strengthen ties with their local administration as the county marked World Peace Day.

The day’s activities included a peace procession to the market area, alongside the Sub-County Peace Committee led by Bwana Baheru and members of the public, culminating in a public peace baraza, aimed at emphasizing the importance of peace, ahead of the August 2027 General Election, with campaigns already gathering pace across the country.

“To me, peace is everything. Without peace, nothing else can move forward,” Kashuru said, adding that even elections cannot be held in an environment devoid of peace.

He urged residents to stay closely connected to their local leadership structures. Everyone should know their village elders, because that is where government begins, added  Kashuru noting that chiefs, assistant chiefs and village elders are positioned to advocate for residents should issues arise.

The DCC also cautioned youths against being drawn into political violence and gang activity ahead of the polls, telling them, “Support your candidate without bringing violence.”

He said politically instigated groups often described as gangs or goons offer no benefit to the young people, who join them, but instead ruin their futures, acknowledging that unemployment remains a genuine challenge, though not a justification for joining such groups.

Kashuru said the choice of Marikiti, in Mombasa’s Old Town area within the Island division, as the venue for this year’s commemorations was deliberate.

He acknowledged the area has previously been known as a hotspot for crime, but said his office and security partners are working closely together to turn that around and restore it as a safe, peaceful part of the county.

He urged residents to visit his office more frequently, saying that simply talking through the issues they face is valuable and that his office also offers support, including therapy services, for those who need it.

The DCC also spoke to Mombasa’s standing as a peaceful and strategically important city, describing it as the second-largest city in Kenya, home to a number of historical buildings in the Old Town, and a tourist destination that receives visitors throughout the year “regardless of the season,” owing to its history and scenic appeal.

He added that Mombasa’s status as a port city sees it receive cargo from multiple countries and remain a point of reliance for other countries across Africa.

            Also speaking at the event, Hamisa Zaja, a 2024 finalist in the United States Institute of Peace (USIP) International Women Building Peace Award appealed to Kenyans particularly what she described as the “silent majority” who want peace to unite as a collective voice against violence, arguing that justice cannot be attained without peace first being secured.

She urged young people to stay united and avoid conflict in pursuit of their goals and called on politicians to stop exploiting youth frustrations for political ends.

Authorities have separately stepped up efforts to address insecurity in parts of Mombasa. Local administrator Kipkoech Sigei said security officers, including the National Government Administration Police Unit, are working to keep residents safe and protect them from criminal activity.

Sigei identified several contributing factors to insecurity, including lack of education among some children, youth involvement in crime-linked groups and the sale of banned substances, saying these issues fuel conflict and other security problems within the community.

He also raised concern over youths carrying pangas, which he said have been used to attack residents in Mombasa’s markets, a trend he said has heightened concern among traders and the public.

Authorities are expected to strengthen security operations and work with residents to curb criminal activity, with measures such as increased patrols and curfews under consideration in affected areas.

Parents have also been urged to take a more active role in guiding their children on the difference between good and bad behaviour.

Sigei called on residents to cooperate with security officers and report suspicious activity to the relevant authorities to help make Mombasa safer.

 by Joan Kinuthia