Eldoret: Leaders drawn from churches, youth groups, women’s organizations, and persons with disabilities in the North Rift region have called for peaceful, inclusive, and issue-based politics ahead of the 2027 General Election. Speaking at the Reformed Church of East Africa (RCEA) Conference Centre in Eldoret, during a two-day election preparedness forum, the leaders urged Kenyans to reject tribalism, violence, and political propaganda during the election period.
According to Kenya News Agency, NCCK North Rift Chairperson Bishop Emmanuel Chemengich said the meeting is aimed at assessing the country’s preparedness towards the 2027 polls and promoting peaceful co-existence in the region. Chemengich noted that the North Rift region, which comprises Turkana, West Pokot, Trans-Nzoia, Uasin Gishu, Nandi, and Elgeyo Marakwet counties, remains cosmopolitan and requires deliberate efforts to maintain peace during the electioneering period.
‘We want to ensure that elections are not misused by a few individuals to spread ethnic hatred, violence, and division. The church remains committed to promoting peace, justice, and inclusivity while protecting every citizen’s constitutional right to vote freely,’ said Chemengich. He added that the Church would continue working closely with government institutions and other stakeholders to ensure free, fair, transparent, and credible elections.
The NCCK North Rift Vice Chairperson, Samson Akoru, from the Reformed Church of East Africa in Turkana, praised the government for the ongoing voter registration exercise but called for continuous voter registration at the county headquarters. Akoru noted that inadequate funding and transport challenges had affected the recent voter registration exercise in some areas.
He also raised concerns about the low number of youths with national identity cards, urging the government to expedite the issuance of the document to enable more young people to participate in elections. Akoru further called on eligible Kenyans, especially the youth, to collect their national identity cards and register as voters, rather than spreading propaganda about alleged discrimination in the issuance of IDs.
‘As a church, we have not witnessed evidence that any community is intentionally being denied identity cards. Many IDs remain uncollected at county headquarters, and we encourage young people to pick them up and register as voters,’ he said. Akoru commended the government for intensified efforts to eliminate illegal firearms in the North Rift region.
‘For the last two months, we have experienced relative peace without major incidents of cattle rustling or election-related violence. We urge the government to continue removing illegal firearms from criminals,’ he said. The Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK), Diocese of Eldoret, Bishop Dr. Christopher Ruto, said churches under NCCK have historically played a significant role in encouraging citizens to participate in democratic and constitutional processes.
Ruto said elections should provide every Kenyan with an opportunity to freely choose leaders at all levels, including Members of County Assembly, Members of Parliament, Governors, Senators, and the President. He called for freedom of expression during the electioneering period, saying citizens and political parties should be allowed to express their views peacefully.
The Bishop further urged leaders to ensure public resources are utilized prudently and accountably for the benefit of citizens. The Uasin Gishu nominated MCA representing Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), Regina Chumba, emphasized the need for civic education to enable citizens to make informed decisions during elections.
‘Elections happen every five years and should never become matters of life and death. Citizens should be allowed to make independent decisions without intimidation or coercion,’ said Chumba. She further called for inclusion of persons with disabilities in schools, churches, and public institutions through the provision of sign language interpreters and accessible services.
Chumba also condemned the exploitation and trafficking of persons with disabilities, saying such practices violate the law and human dignity. NCCK North Rift Youth Representative, Reverend Silas Ruto, challenged young people to reject manipulation by politicians seeking to incite violence during elections, observing that many youth were increasingly interested in leadership but faced intimidation from political gatekeepers.
‘We want equal opportunities for young people seeking leadership positions. Youth should not allow themselves to be used to cause chaos, violence, or destruction for handouts,’ he said. He urged young people to register as voters, participate peacefully in elections, and make independent choices at the ballot.
The Forum brought together representatives from the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP), the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), the Ministry of Interior, clergy, youth leaders, women representatives, and organizations representing persons living with disabilities.
Source: Kenya News Agency
