Religious leaders and key stakeholders have called for sustained dialogue, accountability and peaceful political engagement as Kenya prepares for the 2027 General Election.
Speaking during the National Stakeholders’ Convention on Democratic, Credible and Peaceful 2027 Elections at Ufungamano House, Nairobi, participants noted inclusive consultations were critical in addressing emerging challenges and safeguarding the integrity of the electoral process.
The two-day convention, held from September 2–3, 2026, brought together actors in the democratic and electoral space to assess the country’s preparedness for the 2027 polls, identify potential risks, and develop measures to mitigate threats to peaceful and credible elections.
A representative from the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), Commissioner Dr. Alutalala Mukhwana outlined the Commission’s state of preparedness and reaffirmed their commitment to deliver a credible, fair, transparent, and peaceful election.
Dr. Mukhwana urged religious leaders and other stakeholders to play their respective roles in promoting peace and accountability while engaging the electoral body constructively.
He called on stakeholders to embrace dialogue as a means of charting the country’s peaceful path to 2027.
The Commissioner also encouraged stakeholders to hold the Commission accountable as it undertakes their constitutional mandate, noting that credible elections require the participation and responsibility of various actors beyond the electoral management body.
Notably, the organizers of the forum, convened under the Kenya Religious Leaders Forum by the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB), Evangelical Alliance of Kenya (EAK), Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims (SUPKEM) and National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK), maintained that the convention seeks to formulate strategies, actions and commitments to protect democratic outcomes before, during and after the 2027 electoral cycle.
Further it also provides a platform for stakeholders to examine the preparedness of constitutional institutions with electoral and security mandates and identify issues that could undermine democratic participation and peaceful political engagement.
The Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims (SUPKEM) delegation, led by Secretary General (SG) Sheikh Abdullahi Salat and accompanied by Head of Religious Affairs Sheikh Yusuf Maki said their participation demonstrates commitment to peaceful democratic engagement, national cohesion, responsible civic participation, and credible electoral processes.
The SG also urged stakeholders to create an electoral environment where Kenyans can exercise their constitutional rights freely and peacefully, while faith communities contribute to maintaining peace, justice, and national unity.
Meanwhile, the convention comes as stakeholders increasingly emphasize the need for national dialogue that brings together government, civil society, religious institutions, professionals, the private sector, and other actors in addressing the country’s social, economic, and governance concerns.
Importantly, participants stressed that such engagements should move beyond deliberations to concrete action, with recommendations translated into measurable outcomes.
They further called for continued consultations that give diverse groups an opportunity to contribute to national decision-making processes and address concerns that could affect cohesion and democratic stability.
The stakeholders said sustained dialogue, respect for democratic institutions, and responsible political participation would be essential in creating an environment conducive to credible and peaceful elections in 2027.
By Nancy Omondi
