PEACE CONCERT
As part of public engagements and enlightenment around the electoral process, European Centre for Electoral Support (ECES) and the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) partnered several organisations to organise a peace concert with the theme “MimiMKenya-Elections Bilanoma”.
This concert was held on the 30th of July 2022 at the Nakuru Athletics Club within the context of the Pro-Peace Kenya project, aimed at promoting peace and cohesion and mitigating electoral conflict.
This Peace Concert was a climax, following a 2-day peace Caravan roadshow that traversed Naivasha and Nakuru towns from the 28th of July to the 29th of July 2022, spreading messages of peace to Kenyans ahead of the 9th of August 2022 General Elections. The roadshow afforded young people a platform to express themselves through dance as a form of art and to preach peace, attracting more youth spectators who turned up in large numbers to enjoy music, dance and received the peace messages with warmth and positivity.
Some of Kenya’s A-list Artistes at the continental and global level, including Sauti Sol, Hip hop artist Octopizzo, Gospel artistes Mercy Masika and Evelynne Wanjiru, Popstar Nadia Mukami as well as wonderkid Trio Mio entertained the crowd while encouraging them to conduct themselves in a peaceful manner before, during and after the elections. Dj Joe Mfalme was on the decks to serenade the crowd.
The event was attended by dignitaries including Rev. Dr. Samuel Kobia, Chairman, NCIC, H.E. Henriette Geiger, European Union Ambassador to Kenya as well as representatives from the Embassy of Denmark. UNDP among others. Hon. Abdulaziz Farah, Dr. Danvas Makori, Engr. Philip Okundi and Honourable Dorcas Kedogo, NCIC Commissioners were also present. Regional County officials, county officials’ other government representatives, Civil Society Organisations among others also graced the occassion.
While over 3000 people from Nakuru were on ground at the venue, the concert was live on NTV as well as livestreamed on YouTube and other social media, allowing millions of Kenyans from across the country join in from the comfort of their homes. The event ended with the release of peace balloons from the NCIC, ECES team, the performing artistes and all partners who collaborated to deliver a successful peace concert.