The National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) has officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Muslim Women Advancement of Rights and Protection (MWARP) to foster peace and unity among students through Amani Clubs in the Coast region.

The partnership aims to counter the rising vulnerabilities among learners, especially in coastal counties, where cases of drug abuse, school unrest, and recruitment into juvenile gangs have increasingly become a concern.

Speaking during the signing ceremony at Kwale High School in Matuga sub-county, NCIC Chief Executive Officer Daniel Mutegi said the MoU will pave the way for collaborative programmes between the commission and MWARP to instill values of peace, tolerance, and responsible citizenship among students.

Mutegi noted that schools are critical spaces for shaping future leaders, and therefore, promoting peace and social cohesion in learning institutions is a long-term investment in national unity.

“We had previously seen disturbing trends in our schools, rising drug use, indiscipline, and organised school violence. This partnership will empower students with the right tools to resist peer pressure, resolve conflicts peacefully, and reject divisive ideologies,” said Mutegi.

Currently, the peace clubs initiative is being implemented in 24 schools, including junior and senior secondary institutions, spread across 33 sub-counties in the Coast region.

Nurturing peace

Mutegi said the Amani Clubs have been instrumental in nurturing peace champions at the grassroots level, adding that efforts are ongoing to include more schools to establish such platforms as part of co-curricular development.

The NCIC CEO said the program would be extended to both public and private schools, emphasising that peace remains a core principle in achieving progress and sustainable development.

He further said that the commission has resolved to use students as peace ambassadors as part of its broader strategy to foster peace and national cohesion across the country.

According to Mutegi, engaging learners through school-based peace programs such as Amani Clubs helps to instill values of tolerance, unity, and responsibility at an early age.  

“Young people are not just leaders of tomorrow, they are the change agents of today. When we empower them with the right mindset and values, we secure the future of our nation,” he said.

Mutegi also noted that the commission employs intergenerational dialogues as a key tool in its peace-building efforts.  

He said the conversations are designed to bring together elders, community leaders, young people, religious leaders, and political figures to promote mutual understanding, religious tolerance, and peaceful coexistence.

He said that the majority of Kenya’s population consists of young people, most of whom are still in school.

Mutegi said by nurturing a disciplined and value-driven generation, the commission is laying the foundation for responsible future leadership.

He called on teachers, parents, and community leaders to support peace education initiatives and actively participate in activities that promote national unity.

MWARP Officer Fahad Changi welcomed the collaboration, stating that promoting peace through gender-sensitive and inclusive approaches was key to addressing underlying social issues that fuel youth unrest.