Faith leaders have called for a united campaign against hate speech, false information and the politicisation of religion as Kenya prepares for the 2027 General Election, warning that divisions could grow if the threats are not confronted early.
The call came during a National Inter-Religious Consultative Forum on Peace, National Cohesion and Peaceful Elections, where religious leaders and other stakeholders reviewed measures to protect peace during the next electoral cycle.
National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) Commission Secretary and CEO Daniel Giti said the country cannot wait until election day to address issues that could trigger conflict.
He said political rivalry, ethnic mobilisation, hate speech, misinformation and intolerance were among the issues that required attention before they grew into larger disputes.
“As Kenya gradually moves towards the 2027 General Elections, it is important that we begin preparations early and deliberately,” Giti said.
Giti singled out social media and other digital platforms as a major concern, saying they have made it possible for hate speech, incitement and false information to spread rapidly.
“One of the greatest challenges facing our society today is the rapid spread of hate speech, incitement, misinformation and disinformation, particularly through digital and social media platforms.”
He said such messages can heighten fear, create mistrust and widen differences between communities, making it harder to maintain peace during periods of political competition.
Giti urged religious institutions, community groups and media platforms to work together in spreading a consistent message calling for peace and tolerance.
“We must therefore work together to promote a unified national peace message that speaks consistently to all Kenyans,” he said.
He also called for improved systems for detecting tensions, mediating disputes and responding quickly to emerging threats.
Giti said religious leaders and local community structures are in a strong position to notice signs of tension because of their close links with communities.
He urged faith leaders, government institutions, civil society and peacebuilding organisations to strengthen their cooperation so that potential conflicts can be addressed before they turn violent.
Inter-Religious Council of Kenya Chairman Sheikh Abdullahi Salat said the country was entering another politically sensitive period, with competition already building and misinformation becoming increasingly difficult to contain.
He warned against attempts to bring religion into political battles, saying the trust placed in religious institutions should be used to bring communities together rather than drive them apart.
“The pressures have not disappeared. Political competition remains intense. Misinformation spreads faster than truth. In some corners, we continue to see attempts to draw religious identity into political contests to use the sacred trust placed in us as instruments of division rather than unity,” he said.
Salat said faith leaders must use their influence to reject hate speech, discourage inflammatory politics and urge Kenyans to exercise restraint throughout the electoral period.
He said their responsibility during elections was longstanding but required a stronger and more coordinated approach as the 2027 polls draw closer.
“The role of faith leaders in safeguarding peace ahead of the 2027 electoral cycle is therefore not new. It is the same role we have always carried but one that now demands greater coordination, greater urgency, and greater unity of message. We cannot afford to speak with many voices when the moment calls for one,” he said.
Salat referred to the 2022 General Election, saying it showed that peaceful polls can be achieved when religious leaders, state institutions and communities work towards the same goal.
He said faith leaders participated in peacebuilding through the National Peace and Mediation Team, the Uwiano Platform and grassroots discussions held in churches, mosques and temples.
The forum is expected to agree on a Joint Communiqué on Peaceful Campaigns and the 2027 General Elections.
The document will reaffirm commitments to peaceful campaigns, responsible leadership, national cohesion and an election free from violence.
Participants are also expected to prepare a Joint Peace and Cohesion Action Framework for 2026–2028, which will define areas of focus, responsibilities, timelines and ways of working together.
The proposed plan will include a National Peace Messaging Framework designed to ensure peace messages are coordinated across different platforms and communities.
It will also provide for stronger early-warning, mediation and rapid-response structures to deal with emerging tensions.
NCIC has proposed a Joint Steering Committee comprising the commission, the Inter-Religious Council of Kenya, World Vision Kenya and other strategic partners to monitor the implementation of the resolutions reached at the forum.
Salat said the Inter-Religious Council of Kenya would involve its nine Religious Coordinating Bodies, county interfaith structures and wider networks in the peace initiative.
He said the commitment was aimed at ensuring the campaign period and 2027 General Election remain peaceful and credible while avoiding the violence that has affected parts of Kenya's electoral history.