NPS, NCIC joins Sports Olympics Kenya for 'Peace Campaign'

The Deputy Inspector General of Police Edward Mbugua on Monday flagged off Amani Torch Run, a peaceful campaign that took place at Kasarani Stadium, Nairobi.

The event which was organized by Special Olympics Kenyan athletes in conjunction with the National Police Service and National Cohesion and Integration Commission is geared towards sensitizing people on the importance of peace even as the country enters the electioneering period.

Speaking before the flagging-off ceremony, NCIC chairperson Reverend Samuel Kobia called on Kenyans to embrace peace during the electioneering period which will ensure the stability of the country. The NCIC boss who has recently been at the forefront of peaceful campaigns urged Kenyans to co-exist well with one another and avoid remarks which may lead to divisions.

Speaking to Citizen Digital, Sports Olympics Kenya’s manager Vincent Mungai noted the Law Enforcement Torch run happens globally every year with the objective of raising money to fund athletes with disabilities except for this year where the campaign is focused on preaching peace.

“In Special Olympics, it is always a fund-raising event because we are a non-governmental organization and depend on donors to push our agenda.

“The biggest fundraising channel that we have is through the law enforcement agency. This year we have joined the NPS as usual and brought on board NCIC to come and preach peace.

“We always call the event a Torch Run. This is a special year to Kenyans and what we encourage is peace,” Vincent noted.

Margaret Wanjiru, a teacher at Njathaini Primary School echoed his sentiments while noting the importance of the event in the context of this year’s general elections and the significance of every Kenyan participating in the initiative.

“We need peace in our nation, we need to love one another because in the absence of peace we are going to experience chaos and that will ruin everything in our country,”.

The flag off ceremony was followed by a march that kicked off at Kasarani Stadium, through Thika Super Highway, and then climaxed at Ruaraka Police Station.