The conference follows his directive that the country required a national conference and county forums on peaceful elections/FILE
The conference follows his directive that the country required a national conference and county forums on peaceful elections.
Justice, National Cohesion and Constitutional Affairs Minister Eugene Wamalwa said: “The goal of the forum is to forge a clear roadmap and commitment by Members of Parliament in the realisation of peaceful elections in Kenya.”
The forum with MPs is expected to explore the role the Legislature is expected to play in the enhancement of peace before, during and after the forthcoming general elections.
MPs are expected to chart a roadmap in ensuring that the next elections are held in a peaceful atmosphere.
The meeting organised by the Justice, National Cohesion and Constitutional Affairs Ministry with the help of the Kenya National Assembly is one of the platforms the country is using to foster peace and prevent a repetition of the violence that rocked the country about five years ago.
MPs are expected to issue a communiqué after the two-day meeting on how the country is expected to conduct elections in a peaceful environment.
President Kibaki was due to leave for Mombasa on Thursday afternoon after chairing a Cabinet meeting at State House Nairobi.
Also expected at the Mombasa talks are Prime Minister Raila Odinga, Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka and National Assembly Speaker Kenneth Marende.
The Judiciary, religious leaders, civil society representatives, Independent Electoral Boundaries Commission, Commission on the Implementation of the Constitution and the private sector are also invited to the meeting.
In the build up to the next general elections, Kenya has embarked on vigorous campaigns to ensure that the country does not follow the route of the 2008-post election violence that left over 1,000 Kenyans dead, 350,000 others displaced and property worth billions of shillings reduced to ashes.
Government departments, commissions, religious groups, the media and other groups across the country have all been in support of free, fair and violence free election.
On Wednesday, the Head of the Public Service Francis Kimemia said the government was going to engage all players in similar forums among them the media, civil society and religious groups.
“The purpose of these initiatives is to engage Parliament as a key stakeholder in laying a vivid framework for peace during the forthcoming general elections,” he said.