Peace lobbyists in Uasin Gishu County have called on political leaders and members of the public to reject hate speech, ethnic incitement and inflammatory political rhetoric, warning that such utterances could undermine the peace and cohesion achieved in the region since the 2007 post-election violence.
The stakeholders, drawn from the Uasin Gishu County Peace Committee, civil society organisations, faith-based organisations and active citizens, said the Rift Valley region had made significant progress in promoting peaceful coexistence and integration among communities.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, the group said the region had experienced four peaceful elections, one referendum and three generations of leadership since the 2007 violence, describing the progress as gains that must be jealously guarded.
They expressed concern over recent political utterances allegedly targeting some communities living in the Rift Valley, saying such statements had the potential to create mistrust, deepen divisions and reverse years of peace-building efforts.
“We cannot allow political interests to take our country back to the painful experiences of the past,” the stakeholders said.
They urged political leaders to exercise restraint and responsibility in their public pronouncements, noting that political competition should not be allowed to become a platform for ethnic hatred or incitement.
The group called on the National Police Service to remain vigilant and take appropriate action against individuals who incite violence, threaten communities or breach the law through inflammatory statements.
They also asked the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) to urgently investigate and address cases of hate speech and ethnic incitement that could threaten peaceful coexistence.
The National Steering Committee on Peace Building and Conflict Management and other relevant government agencies were further urged to strengthen peace-building interventions and engage communities on the importance of protecting national unity and cohesion.
The stakeholders also appealed to residents, particularly those in the Rift Valley region, to reject messages of hatred, provocation and division, cautioning against allowing politicians to exploit communities for political gain.
They said the peace enjoyed in the region was the result of sustained dialogue, reconciliation, integration and strong inter-community relationships, as well as the determination of ordinary Kenyans to live together.
“Let us remember that no political position is more important than the lives, dignity and peaceful coexistence of our people,” they said.
The statement was presented by peace leaders led by Mustafa Simiyu David, HSC, Vice Chairperson of the Uasin Gishu County Peace Committee, alongside Uasin Gishu Council of Imams and Preachers of Kenya (CIPK) chairman Sheikh Abubakar Bini and other representatives.
The stakeholders called on Kenyans to choose dialogue over confrontation, unity over division and peace over hatred, saying Uasin Gishu had demonstrated that communities could coexist peacefully.
“Peace is our responsibility. Unity is our strength. Kenya is our home,” they said.
By Ekuwam Sylvester
