EASF urges young people to take active role in building peace
Brigadier General Ronald Rwivanga, Director of the Eastern Africa Standby Force (EASF), speaking during the International Day of Peace celebrations at Ulinzi Stadium in Nairobi on Monday, September 21, 2026.
The Eastern Africa Standby Force (EASF) has urged young people to take an active role in preventing violence and promoting peaceful coexistence, saying peacebuilding should begin with everyday choices in schools and communities.
Speaking during the International Day of Peace celebrations at Ulinzi Stadium in Nairobi, EASF Director Brig Gen Ronald Rwivanga said young people should not wait until they become adults to contribute to peace.
“Peace is a shared responsibility,” Rwivanga said, urging students to reject hate speech, bullying and violence while embracing dialogue, respect and inclusion.
The 2026 International Day of Peace is being marked under the United Nations theme, “Invest in Peace: For Everyone, Everywhere, Every Day,” with EASF adopting the activity theme “Peace Through Young Eyes: Investing in Peace, Every Day.”
Rwivanga said the decision to centre the commemoration on young people was deliberate, with students given an opportunity to express their understanding of peace through essays, artwork, presentations and discussions.
He challenged the students to use their daily interactions to promote peaceful coexistence, including by listening to people with different views and helping resolve disagreements without violence.
“You can challenge hate speech instead of spreading it. You can reject violence instead of glorifying it. You can stand against bullying and exclusion,” he told the students.
The EASF director said peace and security could not be left to governments and security institutions alone, noting that communities, teachers, parents and young people all have a role to play.
He said the region continues to face challenges including violent extremism, terrorism, organised crime, communal conflicts, political and electoral tensions, climate-related security risks, displacement and information-related threats.
Rwivanga said addressing the challenges requires a multidimensional approach involving prevention, dialogue, governance, human rights and community participation alongside security measures.
The principal of Langata Barracks Senior and Comprehensive School said educating young people should go beyond preparing them for examinations and employment, as schools also have a responsibility to prepare responsible citizens.
He urged students to reject bullying and body shaming while respecting people despite their differences.
“Peace begins where we are,” the principal said, encouraging learners to resolve disagreements through dialogue and to understand that peaceful coexistence does not require everyone to hold the same views.
Students also participated in essay writing and drawing competitions during the celebrations, with Rwivanga congratulating those who were recognised for their work.
He described the students as partners and actors in peacebuilding, rather than merely future beneficiaries of peace.
“You are not merely the future of peace. You are partners and actors for peace today,” Rwivanga told the students.
The Langata celebrations were among activities held across Kenya to mark the International Day of Peace, with the national commemoration taking place in Nakuru while peace-related activities were also held in Mombasa and other parts of the country.
