Kenyans asked to send peace texts

The United Nations is inviting Kenyans to send text messages of peace to world leaders attending the 63rd General Assembly in New York next week.

Four ministers, including Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi and Justice minister Martha Karua, yesterday helped launch the campaign, which is also taking place in other countries.

The messages should be sent to 222 from now until Sunday when they will be printed, compiled and presented at the UN headquarters, Safaricom CEO Michael Joseph said.

Each text costs Sh1.

The UN has designated September 21 as International Day of Peace.

The ministers urged Kenyans to submit messages of hope and unity, saying that the post-poll violence taught the country to value and cherish peace. “We have learnt that peace is precious,” Ms Karua said at the event.

Criticised

But Nairobi Metropolitan Development minister Mutula Kilonzo criticised the campaign as premature as many people are still homeless.

“It is embarrassing that I am standing here,” he told guests.

“We should not be celebrating … five months after the peace accord, we still have people in camps.”

The Government estimates that more than 80,000 displaced people are yet to return to their homes.

A group of civil society organisations has put together a series of activities to commemorate the special day. Earlier this month, PeaceNet Kenya dispatched a “peace caravan” to northern Kenya, which will perform theatrical and artistic shows along the way before arriving in Nairobi on Sunday.

The consortium of NGOs has also arranged a workshop for MPs, special prayer sessions and community meetings in each province.