Uasin gishu: Dozens of young people in the Langas area of Uasin Gishu County gathered for a football tournament on the weekend, using the opportunity to foster unity and promote peace ahead of the 2027 general election.
According to Kenya News Agency, the tournament, organized within the Langas community, brought together youth from diverse backgrounds and social strata, with organizers aiming to use sports as a platform to build cohesion and combat political intolerance. Clinton Gwako, an official from Rural Women Peace Link, stated that the tournament is designed to bring youth together and provide a platform for honest discussions about the role of young people as key agents of peacebuilding in the country.
Gwako highlighted the importance of uniting against increasing political intolerance, which is closely connected with ethnic fanaticism. Langas footballer Lucas Mugogo praised the initiative organized by Rural Women Peace Link, noting it has offered youth an opportunity to exercise and interact instead of remaining idle in the community. He called on the government and other partners to organize such tournaments to nurture and support youth talents at the grassroots level.
Beyond the sporting activities organized by the civil society group Rural Women Peace Link, the event provided a platform for ‘Gen Z’ youth to discuss their role in peacebuilding as the country heads toward the election season. Meanwhile, Kenya is grappling with the challenge of rising gangs allegedly funded by politicians, a trend that evokes fears of the violence witnessed in past elections.
Marilyn Kalenya, a Langas footballer, emphasized the importance of literacy among youth, urging them not to be used to disrupt peace among friends and neighbors. She noted that politicians will come and go, but relationships with friends and neighbors are invaluable. Elizabeth Munika, another Langas youth, urged all young people to be their brother’s keeper and embrace peace before, during, and after elections.
