For the first time in Lamu County’s history, 100 students from ten schools in Witu, Hongwe, Mkunumbi, Hindi, Kiunga, and Basuba completed a two-day peace training program at the Kenya Coast Guard Service (KCGS) training facility in Mokowe.

The Lamu County Government, through the office of the Governor is leading the program in conjunction with the Centre for Civillians in Conflict. The program strives to build trust and confidence between civilians and military personnel so that civilian harm can be avoided, minimized, and remedied along the Boni operation zone.

The over 100 students drawn from Kiangwe, Kiunga, Ishakani, Mokowe Aridzone, Juhudi, Sese, Lake Kenyatta, Bobo, Kibiboni and Kilimani Primary schools were taken through a number of modules including;

-Children rights

-Child Protection Preventing sexual exploitation and abuse

-Peace, Cohesion and Security,

-Loyalty and Patriotism

-Love and Unity

-Role/importance of security agencies

The program aims to protect, minimize harm, establish trust, and encourage direct engagement between military and residents living along the Boni Forest stretch .

In strong partnership with the Central Government and other organizations, Governor Fahim Twaha’s administration has remained committed to building a more resilient, inclusive, and peaceful Lamu Community.

The peace-building approach as envisioned by Governor Fahim Twaha aims to put children at the centre, strengthening social cohesion, building relationships between communities and the government, and supporting their participation in forging peace and development within their villages .

In attendance was Ms Malika Omar CO Public Service Management who also represented the Governor, County commissioner Mr Irungu macharia, CIVIC Regional Director, Mr. Zlatko Gegic, CIVIC Millitary Adviser, Col(Rtd)Julius Minyori, CIVIC community engagement manager John Okanga, CIVIC Community Engagement officer, Phoebe Cherono.

The KDF team was led by Operation Amani Boni (OAB) CIMIC Officer Major Simon Charagu Kariuki, together with his counterparts from Kenya Navy Commanding Officer KNS Shujaa, Major Faith Mwagandi, Captain (Dr) Emily Gitau and SSgt Naomi Owino

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