Kitwek Nairobi Forum Warns Against Divisive Politics Ahead of 2027 Elections

Members of the Kitwek Nairobi Forum during a media briefing in Nairobi, where they called for unity and urged Kenyans to reject divisive politics ahead of the 2027 General Election.

By: Gladys Karuga

The Kitwek Nairobi Forum has called on political leaders, government agencies, the media and Kenyans to reject divisive politics and inflammatory rhetoric that could threaten peace and national cohesion ahead of the 2027 General Election.

In a statement, the forum expressed concern over what it described as the return of narratives that profile communities, portray political opponents as “traitors” and “outsiders,” and invoke memories of the 2007–2008 post-election violence for political purposes.

The forum particularly condemned remarks attributed to DCP leader Rigathi Gachagua, who it said had warned that electoral malpractice in the 2027 General Election could trigger chaos so severe that the 2007 post-election violence would appear like a “children’s game.”

The organisation described the remarks as dangerous and unacceptable, arguing that such language trivialises one of the darkest periods in Kenya’s history. The 2007–2008 post-election violence resulted in more than 1,000 deaths, displaced thousands of people and caused significant economic losses to families and businesses.

According to the forum, the statement is particularly disturbing because it comes against the backdrop of political rhetoric that preceded the 2007 violence, when sections of the political leadership allegedly convinced their supporters that the only way to win elections was through state-sponsored rigging.

The forum said such narratives created a psychological foundation for widespread rejection of official election results and contributed to the violence that followed.

It warned that history should not be used as a political threat, insisting that electoral disagreements must be resolved through lawful institutions, transparent processes and the courts.

The forum also condemned what it described as political campaigns targeting the Mount Kenya region, where Members of Parliament, Cabinet members and other regional leaders supporting the current administration are allegedly being branded “traitors” and “enemies of Mount Kenya.”

It compared the current rhetoric to the political environment of 2007, when the country was divided into what it described as a “41 against one” narrative, while dissenting leaders were branded outsiders or traitors to their collective ethnic cause.

The organisation warned that such profiling could make individuals targets for eviction, hostility and violence when political tensions rise.

The forum further raised concern over what it called a growing culture of political impunity, in which influential leaders allegedly protect individuals accused of making inflammatory or divisive statements in an effort to preserve political alliances or ethnic support bases.

It cited the recent arrest of Hon. Gachagua over what it described as highly divisive and dangerous statements, saying law enforcement agencies should be allowed to investigate the allegations independently and without political interference.

The organisation also criticised public statements by political leaders that appeared to challenge the arrest before the judicial process had been concluded.

It singled out Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, saying his decision to defend Gachagua and condemn the arrest demonstrated what it termed self-serving political solidarity.

The forum argued that political leaders should not shield individuals accused of inflammatory rhetoric simply because of political alliances, warning that such protection could undermine accountability and repeat the mistakes that contributed to the 2007 violence.

It called on political parties and their leaders to reject hate speech and incitement regardless of who is responsible, insisting that no politician should receive protection from lawful investigations because of party, coalition or ethnic affiliation.

The forum also called on the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to ensure the law is applied equally to all Kenyans regardless of political rank or tribal standing.

It demanded that the DCI identify, track down and arrest politicians and online influencers it accuses of fabricating the existence of a so-called “Nandi warriors” militia, arguing that such claims could create fear and trigger ethnic mobilisation.

The organisation further called for the investigation of Kalonzo Musyoka over public statements which it said could amount to attempts to obstruct justice and defend arrested political actors.

It also demanded that criminal investigation files involving high-ranking government and opposition figures flagged by the National Cohesion and Integration Commission be fast-tracked for prosecution, maintaining that no politician should be considered above the law.

The forum appealed to Kenyans across all communities to resist divisive political rhetoric and reject attempts by politicians to portray members of other communities as enemies.

It noted that Kenyans from different ethnic backgrounds share the same roads, schools, healthcare facilities and face similar challenges, including the high cost of living, taxation, unemployment and crime.

The organisation urged citizens not to cheer leaders who preach hate, share inflammatory political clips on social media or support politicians who use fear and division to mobilise voters.

It said Kenyans should instead protect the peace that previous generations worked to build and refuse to allow political ambitions to destroy national unity.

“Kenya belongs to all of us,” the forum said, stressing that no political ambition is worth the loss of innocent lives or the destruction of the country’s unity.

The forum also turned its attention to the media, calling on the Media Council of Kenya (MCK) to strengthen measures aimed at preventing media platforms from being used to spread inflammatory messages.

It proposed that television and radio stations introduce a mandatory seven-to-10-second electronic audio and visual delay on live political broadcasts and rallies to enable broadcasters to cut off hate speech before it reaches the public.

The organisation further called for sanctions against media houses that provide what it described as unfiltered platforms for politicians to spread ethnic slurs, profile communities or make claims about alleged tribal militias.

It proposed the establishment of a 24-hour live monitoring dashboard involving the Media Council of Kenya and the Communications Authority of Kenya to monitor local and vernacular radio stations, particularly those considered vulnerable to ethnic incitement.

The forum also called on media houses to hold talk-show hosts and presenters accountable where they allow politicians to make inflammatory or unverified claims during live interviews without sufficient challenge.

The organisation said Kenya must learn from the lessons of the 2007–2008 post-election violence and ensure that political competition does not once again result in loss of lives, displacement, destruction of property or economic disruption.

It maintained that electoral disputes must be addressed through democratic and lawful institutions rather than threats, violence or intimidation.

The forum called on political leaders from across the divide to exercise restraint in their public pronouncements and place peace, security and national unity above short-term political interests and electoral calculations.

It also urged Kenyans to reject messages designed to divide them along ethnic lines and instead embrace truth, peace, justice and national cohesion as the country prepares for the 2027 General Election.