Brian Keter
Kenya
SFL SUCCESS STORY:
Brian Keter
SFL Africa
Advocating for peaceful elections in Kenya
Brian Keter joined African Students for Liberty (ASFL) in 2014 after attending the Regional Conference hosted at the Catholic University of Eastern Africa. Brian was among the first crop of leaders from Eastern Africa. Reached for comment, Brian said he believes there are two things that change the world: ideas and people. He said, “The Students For Liberty movement has the right ideas and that’s why I joined. Being at SFL has really help me grow, build my profile, and above all, my leadership role in the community is largely now recognized by other leaders.”
Brian participated in the Youth Ambassador program where ASFL Kenya partnered with Liberal Alliance Denmark to host a series of events in seven Universities throughout Kenya to share classical liberal ideas, preach peace among young people during the election season, and advocate for issue-based political dialogue. This was following the post election violence experienced in 2007-2008.
With a new snap election being held in Kenya, Brian fears the possibility of even more post-electoral violence. Brian chose to target young people in his campaign because unemployment is high among the young people of many social groups in Kenya and, “while it may be true that a youthful population can serve as positive agents for change and development, unemployed and marginalized youth increases the risk and potential for violent conflict and instability particularly during elections.”
Brian added, “Tension is building high and at the moment and we have just started a social media campaign, street talks, community meetings, and radio talk show to prevent electoral violence in Kenya as we prepare for the repeat election. SFL through this forum was used to educate the youth on democracy, rule of law, and the importance of active participation in the electoral process in its quest to build a generation of young people who promote peace and good governance in this country.”
Brian was among the select participants who joined the Youth Ambassadors for Issue Based Dialogue Kenya, representing the Uasin Gishu county in Kenya where together with others he was trained on how to be an advocate for issue-based dialogue. The ambassadors were invited to the political debates held in several counties where the governor position aspirants presented their respective manifestos.
After the program, Brian organised two peace conferences in the Kenyan counties of Kericho and Uasin Gishu, where in partnership with other youth organizations they advocated for peace during elections. Both events attracted over 250 participants who pledged to preach peace in Kenya.
Advocating for peace and free speech in Kenya, Brian said, “The government should stop intimidating opposition leaders because we all deserve equal rights.”
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