Over 1000 youths, PWDs trained on election monitoring, voter education
By Zadock.Aangira, July 21, 2022
Over 1000 youths and persons with disability from the 47 counties have been trained on election monitoring and voter education.
The group will help in cascading voter and peace education to the village level in all the counties.
Similarly, the group will be deployed as election observers during August 9, 2022, general election.
The training was organized by a joint collaboration of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), Youth Empowerment Development-Network (YED-N), and National Youth Council (NYC).
Jane Serwanga, the project Manager, Consolidating Democratic Dividends for Sustainable Transformation in Kenya-UNDP-Kenya said they were committed to enhancing capacity for youths ahead of the general election.
“UNDP-Kenya is honoured to support capacity building for the youths and persons with disability. The 1000 youths will have direct reach to the population and will provide voter education in the entire country” she said during a training session in Mombasa.
Serwanga challenged the youths to support the campaign and to engage in peace process in the country.
Director Voter Education, partnership and Communication at IEBC Rasi Masudi said the forums have imparted the much-needed information to the youths on voter education and monitoring.
“We expect you to go back home and implement what you have been taught. I thank YED-K for this noble engagement. This is a step in the right direction for the youths,” he said.
Chief Administrative Secretary, Ministry of ICT, Innovation and Youth Affairs Nadia Abdalla challenged the youths to shun violence but instead preach peace.
She urged the youths to consider furthering their education to achieve their childhood ambitions.
“I hope we shall maintain peace during the August elections. My fellow youths do not be misused to cause chaos. Kenya is ours and we must protect it,” she said.
She said it was important to strengthen the capacity of youths in voter education in playing a crucial role in information dissemination.