#let's not bleed for leaders to lead -
election campaign Kenya
#let’s not bleed for leaders to lead – election campaign Kenya
Our MasterPeace club Kenya (based in Nairobi) together with partners Footprints4c, Misskoch Kenya and Kenya Unites organized a campaign targeting youngsters to promote peaceful co-existence before, during and after the 2022 general elections.
#TusiBleedNdioWaLead Campaign – let’s not bleed for leaders
Elections in Kenya unfortunately often come with tensions and violent outbursts. The campaign intended to create awareness of a changed mindset on polarization caused by political leaders.
As we approached the general elections, Kenya’s National Cohesion and Integration Commission listed 23 counties that are considered potential violence hotspots, with Nairobi being mentioned as a high-risk area ahead of the country’s August 9th, 2022 general elections. The months leading up to, and after, elections were anticipated to have the most violent periods according to Kenya’s post-independence history. This year was no exception. In addition to operational and structural conflicts. A worrying trend of ethnic balkanization, zoning of the country by politicians, clashes during campaigns previously had increased inflammatory attacks, and hate speech by prominent political leaders.
The months leading up to, and after, elections were anticipated to have the most violent periods according to Kenya’s post-independence history. This year was no exception. In addition to operational and structural conflicts. A worrying trend of ethnic balkanization, zoning of the country by politicians, clashes during campaigns previously had increased inflammatory attacks, and hate speech by prominent political leaders.
Therefore the four organizations agreed that peace before, during, and after the elections does not need to be elusive and as a country we have been able to make great strides to achieve the peace and unity we enjoy today. Recognizing the need for peaceful elections MasterPeace Kenya and partners came up with an online peace campaign geared towards advocating for peace and tolerance more so among the vulnerable communities and youths within Nairobi such as Mathare, Korogocho, Dandora, and Majengo. The campaign seeked to amplify the message of peace directly from the communities and localities initially perceived to be the bedroom for electoral violence and tension.
And more!
The campaign applied the use of social media as a strategic tool to pass the message of peace, by taking pictures of individuals in their work area, chill spots, and businesses holding up a burner with a peace hashtag and posting the images on our social media pages, online campaign groups, and other relevant institutions to have a wider reach.
The campaign reached a total of 18,423 people on all social media platforms, with Facebook having the highest reach of 10,367 (56%). MasterPeace Kenya and partners are happy with the results. And grateful to all Kenyans to keep the elections peaceful this time.