Youth Leaders Condemn Divisive Politics, Rally Kenyans for Unity Ahead of 2027 Elections

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“Every Kenyan has the right to express themselves,” said Maina, “but leaders must use their platforms responsibly. Their words should unite, not divide.

David Maina Former national Youth leader/Image David Maina

Youth leaders in Kenya have raised serious concerns over divisive and inflammatory rhetoric from certain Members of Parliament, warning of its potential to incite ethnic tensions as the country gears up for the 2027 general election. These remarks follow a recent statement from the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC), which expressed alarm over the rise in hate speech and ethnic contempt, both online and at public rallies.

The NCIC cautioned politicians against destabilizing the nation with reckless comments, calling for a return to “order and decorum.” The commission stated, “These reckless utterances are not short of a call to war and have absolutely no place in Kenya. We shall not stand by and let this poison our nation’s peace and the fragile fabric of social cohesion.”

Former National Youth Leader David Maina echoed these concerns, condemning leaders who have been cited by the NCIC for their inflammatory remarks, including Webuye West MP Dan Wanyama and Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi. “Every Kenyan has the right to express themselves,” said Maina, “but leaders must use their platforms responsibly. Their words should unite, not divide. It is heartbreaking to see a few leaders dragging us back to the dark days of ethnic hatred.”

The NCIC emphasized that Kenya’s Constitution guarantees freedom of expression under Article 33 but also sets clear limits against propaganda for war, incitement to violence, and hate speech. NCIC Chairperson Samuel Kobia underscored this, saying, “Utterances such as us-versus-them, particularly from the political class, continue to divide the country and must stop immediately. It is imperative that we protect the peace and cohesion Kenya has worked tirelessly to build over the past six decades.”

Maina reiterated the importance of learning from the 2007/2008 post-election violence, urging security agencies to take proactive measures to prevent a relapse into ethnic conflict. “We all remember the pain and devastation caused when leaders used inflammatory rhetoric to incite violence. These patterns cannot go unchecked,” he said.

Despite the challenges, Maina expressed optimism about Kenya’s future. He applauded the youth and the Gen Z generation for rejecting tribal politics, which he called “outdated and destructive.” He added, “June 25th proved that Kenyans are united in their resolve to fight divisive politics. We, as a nation, condemn any attempts to set communities against one another. The truth is that citizens across Kenya are fed up with corrupt and incompetent leadership and have the right to voice their frustrations.”

The NCIC reinforced this call for unity, noting that Kenya’s diversity is its strength. “With over 45 ethnic groups, our nation must prioritize tolerance and unity over division,” Kobia said. “What has taken six decades to build can be destroyed in a matter of days if we do not act responsibly.”

 

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