Religious Leaders Urged to Reject Illicit Funds Ahead of 2027 Elections

Stakeholders during the ongoing discussions, bringing together key religious and community leaders to address issues affecting Kenya’s 2027 elections

By: Gladys Karuga

Religious leaders have been urged to reject and refrain from legitimising illicit funds as Kenya prepares for the 2027 General Election, with the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission warning that dirty money could distort voters’ choices and fuel corruption in government.

The call was made on Thursday, September 3, 2026, during the second day of the National Stakeholders Convention on Democratic, Credible and Peaceful 2027 Elections held at Ufungamano House in Nairobi.

The Day 2 programme brought together religious leaders, electoral stakeholders and other participants for discussions focused on strengthening Kenya’s democratic process and preparing for a credible and peaceful 2027 election.

A key session of the day was an address by Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission Chairperson Dr. David Oginde on “Corruption and Politics in Kenya: How Illicit Money Drives Democracy and Viable Mitigations.”

Oginde warned that politicians who finance their campaigns using proceeds of corruption, money laundering and unexplained wealth could later be pressured to reward their financiers once they gain political power.

He said such rewards could take the form of inflated government tenders, manipulated procurement processes and other corrupt arrangements.

“There is no way we are going to build a society of integrity if we are beneficiaries of illicit resources,” Oginde said.

The EACC chairperson challenged religious leaders to examine the sources of money entering their institutions, particularly during the political period, and avoid becoming beneficiaries of resources whose origins cannot be explained.

He warned that the increasing role of money in politics threatens the quality of democratic competition by giving financially powerful candidates an advantage over those who may have stronger leadership credentials but fewer financial resources.

According to Oginde, elections should be determined by leadership, values and principles rather than the amount of money a candidate is able to spend.

He further cautioned that illicit wealth can influence voters and distort their ability to make decisions based on the character, competence and policies of candidates.

The discussions placed particular emphasis on the relationship between political financing and governance, with concerns that campaign financiers could seek to recover their money or secure benefits after elections through government contracts and procurement opportunities.

The Day 2 programme also featured breakaway session reports, where participants shared issues emerging from discussions held during the convention.

Another key session was the Youth Visioning – From Aspirations to Action panel discussion, which focused on the role of young people in shaping Kenya’s political and democratic future.

The youth discussion provided an opportunity to examine how young Kenyans can move from expressing aspirations to actively participating in decision-making and national leadership.

The convention also continued discussions on the broader theme of ensuring Democratic, Credible and Peaceful 2027 Elections, with participants examining the responsibilities of different stakeholders in protecting the electoral process.

The gathering was organised by the National Council of Churches of Kenya, Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops, Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims and Evangelical Alliance of Kenya under the Kenya Religious Leaders Forum.

More than 150 stakeholders participated in the two-day forum, which began on September 2 and concluded on September 3 at Ufungamano House.

As the convention entered its final day, attention remained focused on how Kenya can strengthen democratic participation, promote responsible political leadership and prevent practices that could undermine the credibility of the 2027 General Election.

The discussions on illicit campaign financing highlighted the growing concern that the source of political money could have consequences beyond the election itself, particularly where campaign financiers seek influence over government decisions after their preferred candidates assume office.

Oginde’s message therefore placed religious institutions at the centre of efforts to promote integrity during the electoral period, urging them to ensure that their platforms and resources are not used to legitimise questionable wealth.

The Day 2 proceedings concluded with continued calls for stakeholders to play an active role in protecting Kenya’s democratic space and ensuring that the 2027 elections are conducted in a peaceful and credible environment.