The National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) has called for early intervention measures to prevent election-related conflict as Kenya prepares for the 2027 General Election.
NCIC Chairperson Bishop Dr Kepha Omae said the 2027 polls provide an opportunity for Kenya to demonstrate that peace is essential to a functioning democracy.
“The 2027 General Election gives us an opportunity to demonstrate that peace is a critical enabler of democracy. We must choose prevention over reaction and national unity over political expediency. Let us sustain peace before, during and long after the elections,” said Omae.
He urged political leaders and their supporters to avoid inflammatory rhetoric that could divide communities during campaigns, saying political competition should focus on policies and ideas rather than ethnic or community identities.
“Criticize policies, not communities. Challenge ideas, not identities. Let every campaign season be a contest of vision, not a contest of division,” Omae said.
Omae spoke in Nairobi on Monday when the NCIC brought together national stakeholders for the two-day Amani Conference to assess and strengthen measures for peaceful elections.
Deputy Inspector General of Police Gilbert Masengeli called for greater cooperation between citizens and security agencies to maintain peace during the electoral period.
“Security starts with you. A peaceful election cannot be secured by security agencies alone; it requires citizens to work with security actors and take responsibility for the information they consume and share,” said Masengeli.
Registrar of Political Parties John Cox urged Kenyans to uphold the rule of law, warning that political competition should not come at the expense of national unity.
“Together, we can change course from a dangerous and destructive path and choose instead the path of the rule of law, cooperation, responsibility and peace. Elections will come and go, but Kenya will remain,” said Cox.
National Parties Liaison Committee Chairman Evans Misati said enforcement measures alone would not guarantee peaceful elections, stressing the need to identify and address tensions before they escalate.
“Sanctions only respond after damage has been done. What we need are preventive standards that build peace in our minds long before conflict arises,” said Misati.
World Vision East Africa Regional Leader Lilian Dodzo urged stakeholders to protect young people from being used as instruments of political competition, saying their future extends beyond any single election.
“A country can repeat an election, but a child cannot repeat their childhood. Young people must never be reduced to instruments of political competition. Their future is bigger than any election,” said Dodzo.
The Amani Conference is being held under the theme, “One People, One Nation, One Destiny.”
