The Government has urged Kenyans to prioritise national unity, patriotism and responsible citizenship ahead of the 2027 General Election to safeguard peace and strengthen the country’s democratic institutions.
Principal Secretary (PS) for National Government Coordination Ahmed Abdisalan Ibrahim stated that Kenyans should place national interests above individual, ethnic, and regional considerations as the country prepares for the polls.
In a speech read on his behalf by Abednego Etyang, Chairman of the Board of Management for the Kenya Institute of Highway and Building Technology (KIHBT), during the commemoration of World Values Day at Kenya Railways headquarters in Nairobi on Thursday, 15th October 2026, Ibrahim stressed that national values and principles of governance enshrined in the Constitution were essential to building a peaceful, united, and prosperous nation.
“As we approach the 2027 elections, I challenge every Kenyan to prioritise the national over individual, ethnic or regional interests. This will ensure that our country remains united and peaceful during and after the election,” he affirmed.
Further, the PS noted that Article 10 of the Constitution provides the foundation for national development by setting out principles that guide public institutions, individual conduct, and relations among citizens.
He reported that the State Department for National Government Coordination, through the Directorate of National Cohesion and Values, continued to implement programmes aimed at strengthening the capacity of families, community leaders, faith-based organisations, civil society, youth, and political leaders to promote national values.
Among the initiatives according to the PS is a training manual developed to help parents instil ethical values in children and young people, which has been used to train parents in Nyamira, Kisumu, Kakamega, Nairobi, and Bungoma counties.
However, Ibrahim insisted that mainstreaming national values required concerted efforts from government institutions and other stakeholders to ensure the principles were practised across society.
He added that the values outlined in Article 10 were central to Kenya’s development aspirations under Vision 2030 and should continue guiding discussions on the country’s future beyond 2030.
The Government, he reaffirmed, remained committed to implementing the constitutional provisions and strengthening institutions responsible for promoting national values and principles of governance.
Meanwhile, Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Abdi A. Mohamud called for greater integrity and accountability in public service, warning that corruption thrived where ethical standards were compromised and public resources were misused.
Mohamud highlighted that the fight against corruption required more than investigations, prosecutions, and recovery of unexplained assets, emphasising the importance of cultivating an ethical culture grounded in constitutional values.
“The fight against corruption is inseparable from the promotion of these values. Corruption thrives where integrity is compromised, accountability is weak and public resources are treated as personal property,” he reiterated.
Equally, the CEO urged public officers to uphold transparency in the management of public resources and ensure that recruitment, procurement, expenditure, and service delivery decisions were guided by fairness, merit, legality, and the public interest.
In addition, Mohamud observed that public office was a position of trust and that integrity should be demonstrated consistently, regardless of whether an individual was under supervision or faced the threat of sanctions.
He also called on citizens to demand accountability through lawful engagement, protect public property, respect the rule of law, and speak out against wrongdoing.
The CEO further urged Kenyans to reject electoral bribery and hate speech, noting that national unity should transcend political affiliations.
Notably, this year’s World Values Day was marked under the national theme, National Values and Active Citizenship, and the global theme, Values and Volunteerism, which highlights the role of civic responsibility, collective action, and service to others in national development.
The commemoration provided an opportunity for government institutions and stakeholders to reaffirm their commitment to promoting constitutional values and nurturing an ethical, responsible and united society.
By John Brighton
