Church leaders in Likoni have called on youth in the area to embrace peace and shun political violence ahead of the 2027 General Election, following a Sunday disturbance outside a church that left two people injured.
Reverend Peter Omondi Ojondo, host pastor of the Pentecostal Assemblies of God (PAG) Likoni church, urged young people to prioritise their lives and the country’s stability over short-term political gains, warning that no amount of money could compensate for loss of life.
“It is good for our youth to know that the country is bigger than any individual. They should also understand that Sh1, 000 or Sh2, 000 cannot buy life. Security must begin with us,” Ojondo said, appealing to the youth to maintain peace as the country edges closer to the next general election.
The pastor’s remarks came after a confrontation broke out among rival groups of political supporters outside the church on Sunday , during the closing ceremony of the National Youth Week organised by PAG Kenya South Coast District.
The event brought together youth from 33 affiliated churches and attracted political leaders including a nominated senator, Miraj Abdillahi, area MP Mishi Mboko, and several aspirants eyeing Member of County Assembly (MCA) seats.
Ojondo said the church service itself proceeded peacefully, but a scuffle erupted outside the building among supporters who had accompanied the leaders.
He said he intervened on noticing a heated exchange, which briefly escalated before a security team he deployed managed to calm the crowd and order non-congregants to leave the compound.
Two people were injured during the incident, among them a driver attached to Ziwa la Ng’ombe MCA aspirant Mercy Masi, who was kicked while attempting to enter the compound, and a church security guard struck on the arm during a struggle at the gate.
Bishop Ephraim Juma of PAG Kenya South Coast District said the congregation inside the church only became aware of the disturbance after hearing a single gunshot fired outside, and that the service concluded peacefully without further incident.
Bishop Juma described Likoni as historically a peaceful area that has hosted numerous political and government leaders, including Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir, without any disturbances.
He attributed Sunday ’s chaos to a few individuals who had infiltrated the gathering, and not the broader youth population.
“This kind of violence has never happened in Likoni before. I want to warn our youth that this is a difficult political season, and they should not imitate the kind of behaviour witnessed in other parts of the country, where people fight and carry clubs even at religious gatherings. It is the youth themselves who end up suffering, leaving their parents and communities in distress,” Bishop Juma said.
He called on aspirants seeking elective seats to take responsibility for their supporters, urging them to identify and distance themselves from any individuals inciting youth to violence, warning that such elements threatened to tarnish Likoni’s longstanding reputation for peace and unity.
The church leaders said the matter had been reported to police, with Likoni Sub-County Police Commander Joseph Chalo Mutungi confirming that investigations were ongoing and that all parties involved had been directed to record their statements.
By Ramadhan Nassib
