Elders from the Talai and Nandi Kaburwo communities have threatened to curse and excommunicate politicians found hiring goons to intimidate rivals, warning that political violence could undermine peace and democracy.
Speaking at Koitalel University in Nandi Hills town, where they blessed the institution ahead of its official opening, the elders condemned the growing culture of political intolerance and challenged leaders to embrace peaceful competition ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Talai elder Christopher Koyogi said politicians should stop using young people to intimidate their opponents, urging them to channel their energy towards productive activities.
“We welcome everybody and nobody for whatever reason who should engage in unlawful activities,” he said.
Koyogi condemned the practice of arming youths with crude weapons to disrupt political meetings, describing it as retrogressive and a threat to the country’s progress.
“Instead of buying jembes for our youths to plough, some people are arming them with logs and crude weapons to cause harm to others. This is a backward practice,” he said.
He said leaders should be allowed to visit any part of the country to sell their agendas and promote development without fear of intimidation.
Talai community chairman James Bassy warned that divisive politics ahead of the 2027 elections could undermine national unity and reverse gains made in promoting freedom of speech and movement.
He challenged politicians to unite and allow their competitors to engage voters without victimisation.
“We must speak in one voice as a nation. Every leader should be free to go to any part of the country and sell their agenda without victimising anybody,” Bassy said.
He cautioned politicians against exploiting young people to disrupt political gatherings, saying the practice was unhealthy for democracy.
Nandi Kaburwo, chairman of Augustine Kisorio, said the elders would not tolerate politicians using youths to cause violence as they sought elective positions.
“I am warning leaders who are seeking elective seats to desist from using goons and instead sell their agenda to the electorate,” he said.
Kisorio warned that politicians found engaging youths in violence would face traditional sanctions, including curses and excommunication from the community.
Nandi Hills resident Edwin Tallam said all leaders should be accorded equal opportunities to seek votes across the country, regardless of their political affiliations.
“Even here in Nandi, we still have a lot to be done. Therefore, we welcome everybody. If we engage in goonism, we are likely to lose out on development projects,” he said.
The elders urged political leaders to prioritise peaceful campaigns and development, warning that political violence could create divisions among communities and jeopardise efforts to improve residents’ livelihoods.
By Kosuri Valarie
