Nairobi: The National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) has launched a roadmap aimed at preventing electoral violence, hate speech, and political intolerance ahead of the 2027 General Election.
According to Kenya News Agency, the second edition of the Roadmap to a Violence-Free 2027 General Election, dubbed Uchaguzi Bila Noma, seeks to strengthen early warning and response mechanisms, promote responsible political leadership, and enhance collaboration among security agencies, electoral institutions, political actors, civil society, and communities.
Launching the roadmap in Nairobi, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi emphasized the importance of peaceful elections for Kenya’s democracy and economic stability. Mudavadi highlighted the detrimental impact political violence could have on investments, businesses, and livelihoods, drawing lessons from the 2007/08 post-election violence.
‘Peace has enormous economic value. Peace creates confidence,’ Mudavadi said, stressing that preventing political violence is crucial for protecting the Kenyan economy and livelihoods. He called for political competition to be free of hostility and urged Kenyans to avoid letting political differences damage relationships.
Mudavadi urged political leaders, the media, social media users, and citizens to communicate responsibly, warning that violence often stems from inflammatory language. Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen stated that security agencies would take a preventive approach to electoral violence, using intelligence to identify emerging threats.
Murkomen cited a recent incident in Homa Bay where political activities led to violence, despite security advisories. He emphasized the responsibility of political leaders to work with security teams and ensure public safety. The Government plans to strengthen coordination between security agencies and communities through grassroots forums known as ‘Jukwaa La Usalame’ for early warning and conflict prevention.
Murkomen revealed the arrest of 27 suspected criminals targeting political rallies in Homa Bay, affirming that security agencies would deal firmly with political violence perpetrators. He urged political leaders to avoid ethnic and regional mobilization, advocating for issue-based political competition.
Deputy Inspector General of Police Gilbert Masengeli expressed the National Police Service’s commitment to working with NCIC and stakeholders to prevent election-related violence. He called for responsible communication among political actors, noting their influence over supporters’ behavior.
Masengeli underscored the importance of prevention in security operations and called for cooperation among independent commissions and security agencies to protect Kenya’s peace and stability. NCIC Chairperson Bishop Kepha Omae Nyamweya emphasized the roadmap’s focus on preventing electoral violence before tensions escalate, urging collective responsibility.
NCIC Vice Chairperson Irene Tulel identified potential drivers of electoral conflict, including political intolerance, ethnic mobilization, misinformation, and unemployment. Tulel outlined NCIC’s plans for conflict hotspot mapping, mediation, and monitoring of social media for hate speech.
The commission plans to engage political parties and candidates in signing a peace accountability charter and establishing platforms to recognize responsible leaders and expose those promoting violence. Tulel highlighted the need for Sh308.7 million to implement the roadmap’s interventions.
The roadmap will guide interventions throughout the electoral cycle, with NCIC focusing on early action, dialogue, responsible leadership, and citizens’ rights protection as Kenya prepares for the 2027 General Election.
