The Africa Inland Church (AIC) Deputy Presiding Bishop Paul Kirui has warned against the growing culture of political violence and ethnic politics, saying failure to hold leaders accountable for sponsoring violence could undermine Kenya’s peace and stability ahead of next year’s General Election.
Speaking to the Kenya News Agency (KNA) after commissioning AIC Kenegut Church in Kapsoit Ward, Kericho County, Bishop Kirui urged political leaders to embrace responsible leadership, reject divisive rhetoric and place the interests of Kenyans above political competition.
He cautioned that the emergence of organised groups used to perpetrate violence during political activities poses a serious threat to national cohesion and should not be tolerated.
“All leaders must be held accountable for their actions. We must not allow the culture of goons to take root in our country because it will only lead to chaos,” said Kirui.
The bishop also condemned tribal politics, saying leaders who exploit ethnic differences for political gain risk reversing the country’s gains in peace and national unity.
“All leaders must rise above tribal politics because we have one country called Kenya. We must not allow our differences to create anxiety that will jeopardise the peace we enjoy. I might be wrong and you may be right, but that should not divide us. Let us put the lives and well-being of our people first. Let us value our children and move forward together by upholding peace, love and unity. We must not allow anything to divide or break us as a nation,” he said.
Kirui said leadership is a sacred responsibility entrusted by God and should be exercised with humility, integrity and a commitment to serving the public rather than advancing personal or political interests.
He urged elected leaders to use their influence to unite Kenyans and inspire hope instead of promoting hostility and division.
Present during the interview was Kapsoit Member of County Assembly (MCA) Paul Chirchir, popularly known as Tarimbo, who echoed the bishop’s sentiments and called on politicians to stop exploiting unemployed youth to fuel violence during political campaigns.
Chirchir said many young people are manipulated into participating in criminal activities because of unemployment and poverty, urging leaders to invest in programmes that empower youth economically instead of using them as political tools.
He challenged leaders to provide seed capital for youth enterprises, create employment opportunities and support skills development initiatives that would enable young people to earn sustainable livelihoods.
The MCA also urged the government to take firm legal action against politicians who finance or organise violent groups, saying such actions undermine democracy, peaceful elections and national cohesion.
“As leaders we must commit to be peaceful and act as agents of peace. Peace begins with leaders and ends with leaders. Our people behave the way we lead them to behave,” said Chirchir.
He appealed to religious leaders to continue playing their role in promoting peaceful coexistence by challenging politicians to uphold responsible leadership and refrain from inflammatory politics as campaigns gather momentum.
According to Chirchir, the Church remains one of the country’s most trusted institutions and is well placed to foster dialogue, reconciliation and peaceful elections.
He further called on the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) to fully enforce laws against hate speech, incitement and ethnic discrimination as the country prepares for the General Election.
“The National Cohesion and Integration Commission must wake up to its responsibilities as we head to the General Elections. It should come out strongly and execute its mandate. There is an Act of Parliament that gives the Commission the powers to take action against those who incite the public, promote tribal politics and issue inflammatory statements. Those who break the law must be held accountable,” he said.
Kirui had earlier commissioned the AIC Koisagat Church in Ainamoi Sub-county before presiding over the commissioning of AIC Kenegut Church in Kapsoit Ward.
By Sarah Njagi
