The “I run for integrity” peace campaign
Transparency International, Kenya (TI-KE) makes peace a priority as it launches the “I run for integrity – I am the change” peace campaign at their offices in ACK Garden House, 1st Ngong Avenue .
TI-Kenya Executive Director Mr. Samuel Kimeu said the stakes are very high in these elections. "We are in a new era of the first General Elections under the Constitution of Kenya, 2010 and that has made the dynamics different from previous elections."
In the lead up to the March 2013 general election, the campaign aims at sensitising the population and especially Kenya’s youth, on the importance of electing leaders based on their personal integrity, competence and suitability. The campaign calls for elections that are free, fair, transparent and peaceful. The youth make over 60% of the population of Kenya and have the potential to completely change the course our history if they use their vote and numbers for this purpose.
The campaign’s message will be spread through two concerts in Nakuru and Mombasa, targeting a total of 40,000 people. Its strapline is “Siasa ni kuaminika. Kutumikia. Kubadilisha", which translates as “Politics is: being trustworthy. Serving. Bringing about change.” The concerts will have performances by six leading artists and will feature the official anthem developed for the campaign with all six performers on stage together for the first time. The dates will be Saturday 16th February at …..in Nakuru’s Afraha stadium and Sunday 24th February at ...in Mombasa. Both are family concerts and will be held during the day.
The official sponsor of the campaign is Transparency International Kenya (TI-Kenya). TI-Kenya is part of the Transparency International group that is a non-partisan coalition of individuals with a shared vision of a corruption free world. The campaign was conceived by Kenya Believe It movement, which encourages all Kenyans to work together for positive change and to transcend tribal, ethnic and gender divisions.
The I run for integrity initiative is the first of its kind in Kenya. It has identified Kenya’s youth as a voting group pivotal to the country’s future.
“Elections are a defining characteristic of democratic regimes” said Mr. Samuel Kimeu, Executive Director of TI-Kenya. “Through elections, politicians are held accountable by the people they serve. It is vitally important that every individual voter understands that electing leaders with integrity is essential for realising a country’s potential. Education and awareness are the essential tools to empower citizens to make informed choices.”
“Youth can be drivers of historic social change” said Priya Chana, Director of Kenya Believe It. "For instance, in the 1960s in Europe and the USA, youth movements and the rock artists stood up and shook the system. Non-discrimination, and gender and race equality, went from being causes for protesters to being fundamental mainstream social attitudes. Kenyan youth and musical artists can be equally ground-breaking.”
TI-Kenya has enlisted 6 leading artists to champion the message of integrity and peaceful elections: Jua Cali, Sanaipei, Rabbit, Avril, Ala-C and Marya. Together with the campaign team, they have produced an anthem called “RFI” (“Run For Integrity”) which was unveiled at the launch, and will be widely available.
TI-Kenya appeals to youth in Kenya to support this campaign by logging on to the official TI-Kenya Facebook site:http://www.facebook.com/TransparencyKenya, where they can express their thoughts and opinions freely in a safe, respectful manner. Trending on twitter #irun4integrity and follow @TIKenya.
TI-Kenya implores the youth to get out, spread the message of peace and vote. “March 4th is Election Day. It is our day — it is the day for all of us to stand up and be counted, to make our voices heard. It is our day to make our voice heard through the ballot.”
Notes to the Editor
About the campaign:
- Campaign Name: I RUN FOR INTEGRITY
- Campaign Message: Siasa ni Kuaminika, kutumikia, kubadilisha Kenya
Politics is: being trustworthy. Serving. Bringing about change.
The campaign seeks to redefine politics in Kenya. To provoke the audience to place integrity at the centre of the political processes and choices for a leadership that can be trusted, that serves and positively transforms the life of every citizen.
- Campaign Taglines:
- Mi ndio voice, mi ndio change, mi ndio Kenya (I am the voice, I am the change, I am Kenya)
- Natia zii ufisadi, nachagua Kenya (I say no to corruption, I choose to stand up for Kenya)
- Amani yako, amani yangu, amani yetu Kenya (Your Peace , My Peace , Our Peace)
- Sitachochwa, nachagua amani (I won’t be incited, I choose peace)
- Join the conversation
o on twitter: @TIKenya
o By Trending on twitter #irun4integrity
o on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TransparencyKenya
o On Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kenya-Believe-It/96465928843?fref=ts
For any press enquiries please contact
Priya Chana
E: [email protected]
UK Mobile: +44 7808 55 33 14
KE Mobile (sms only): +254 724 716 397
