The National Steering Committee on Peacebuilding and Conflict Management has urged political leaders to compete on policies and ideas rather than ethnic and political identities, warning that statements made by influential leaders could quickly spread across the country and fuel tensions.
In the speech delivered on her behalf during the International Day of Peace 2026 in Uasin Gishu by Christabel Adhiambo-Deputy secretary National steering committee on Peacebuilding and Conflict Management, the Peace Secretary Josephine Onunga, appealed to politicians to mobilize citizens for development and service rather than confrontation, saying no political victory was worth the loss of a Kenyan life.
With the 2027 General Election approaching, she called for early intervention to prevent conflicts rather than waiting until violence had erupted.
She called on the national government, county governments, the National Cohesion and Integration Commission, security agencies, civil society organizations, religious institutions, and community structures to strengthen coordination, public communication, early-warning mechanisms, and local mediation.
“Conflict prevention is more humane and less costly than crisis response,” she said, stressing that sustainable peace must be built within communities rather than imposed on them.
Security agencies and administrators were also urged to discharge their duties professionally, impartially, and with respect for human rights, noting that public trust was essential to national stability.
The Peace Secretary asked media practitioners and digital content creators to promote truthful and responsible communication and avoid giving prominence to provocative statements simply because they attract public attention.
“Journalism must inform citizens, not inflame them,” said Onunga.
She also highlighted the role played by ordinary Kenyans in peace-building, particularly community elders, teachers, youth leaders, women, religious leaders and community volunteers who help resolve disputes and identify early signs of conflict.
She affirmed the need for strengthening of local peace committees and community dialogue platforms, saying communities should be listened to before disputes escalate.
Onunga further advocated for the recognition of indigenous knowledge and traditional reconciliation mechanisms while ensuring that such interventions remain consistent with constitutional rights and equal protection under the law.
She underscored that peace-building efforts should extend beyond Nairobi to conflict-prone and marginalized areas across the country, including northern Kenya, the Rift Valley, the Coast and border communities.
The Peace Secretary announced that the Ministry of Interior and National Administration had put in place a series of engagements on election security preparedness, implementation of the Uwiano Platform for Peace and an election conflict-prevention strategy as part of preparations for the 2027 General Election.
She called for collaboration among government institutions, communities, civil society organisations, trade institutions, the private sector and the media to strengthen peace-building efforts.
Other measures proposed included strengthening national and county early-warning systems, establishing rapid-response mechanisms for emerging conflicts, expanding civic education, increasing the participation of women, youth and marginalized groups in peace processes, supporting survivors of violence through justice, healing and reintegration, and promoting responsible use of technology to curb incitement and misinformation.
Onunga mentioned that peace should be understood as a demonstration of courage, discipline and wisdom rather than weakness.
“It takes courage to forgive, courage to listen, courage to reject hatred and courage to protect the rights of those with whom we disagree,” she noted.
She urged Kenyans not to wait for conflict, bloodshed, or destruction to remind them of the value of peace.
“The future of Kenya will not be secured by slogans alone. It will be secured by citizens who choose responsibility, leaders who choose integrity, institutions that choose fairness, and communities that choose solidarity,” concluded the Peace Secretary.
The International Day of Peace 2026 Celebrations at Ng’arwa centre, Olare, Ainabkoi Sub County, Uasin Gishu County was presided over by Uasin Gishu County Commissioner Dr. Eddyson Haro Nyale accompanied by members of the county security team, County government delegation led by CECM Agriculture Dr. Sam Kottut, Uasin Gishu CSO Network and others.
The County Commissioner underscored the importance of peace as an agent of social economic development, as he urged participants to always preach in line with this year’s theme, “Invest in Peace—For Everyone, Everywhere, Every Day“.
By Ekuwam Sylvester
