Amb. Mary Wahogo with some of the officials who attended the forum. Photos/Courtesy.
The Mountain Journal
A peace and development initiative forum has urged political and community leaders to promote peaceful campaigns and elections and avoid utterances that could fuel political intolerance and divisions among Kenyans.
Members who met at Theta Hotel, called for responsible political discourse ahead of the 2027 General Election, stressing the need for communities to coexist peacefully regardless of their political affiliations.
The meeting was led by Ambassador Mary Wahogo, a representative of the Global Compact Initiative, who condemned what she described as inflammatory remarks by some opposition leaders allegedly aimed at turning communities against each other by branding those supporting rival political formations as “wasaliti” (traitors).
Wahogo said every Kenyan has the constitutional freedom to associate with any political party or support a leader of their choice without being subjected to discrimination or intimidation on the basis of ethnicity.
She called on political leaders to exercise restraint and ensure their campaigns do not create hostility among communities.
“The incitement should stop. Every Kenyan should enjoy their freedom to align with any political party or leader regardless of their tribe,” Wahogo said.
The Global Compact Initiative is a global organisation promoting peace, human security, dignity, sustainable development and responsible international cooperation, guided by principles contained in the Charter of the United Nations.
The organisation works with governments, civil society organisations, intergovernmental bodies and other stakeholders to promote constructive cooperation and peaceful coexistence.
Wahogo said the initiative will roll out peace campaigns, rallies and civic education programmes across the country as Kenya prepares for the 2027 elections.
The programme will bring together political leaders, peace ambassadors, church leaders, artists, civil society representatives, women leaders, persons with disabilities, youth leaders, members of the business community and professionals from different regions.
The initiative seeks to encourage citizens to participate in the electoral process peacefully while respecting divergent political views.
Among those who attended the meeting were Bishop Karanja, Dr Ben Ngigi, former leaders Peter Maina and Benson Munene, Ambassadors Victor Macharia and Mohammed Abdi Ibrahim, and Gospel artist representative Elder Hezekiah Ndung’u, among other leaders.
The leaders said sustained civic education and engagement would be critical in preventing political disagreements from escalating into community conflicts during the electioneering period.
