Beyond the Ballot: Religious Leaders Lead Push for Peaceful and Credible 2027 Polls

Beyond the Ballot: Religious Leaders Lead Push for Peaceful and Credible 2027 Polls

SUPKEM Secretary General Sheikh Abdullahi Salat addresses religious leaders and national stakeholders at a 2027 elections forum in Nairobi.

By Jeff Oyugi 

Nairobi - September 2, 2026

Religious leaders and other national stakeholders have called for sustained dialogue, accountability and practical action as Kenya begins preparations for the 2027 General Election, warning that the credibility and peace of the electoral process will depend on what institutions and citizens do long before polling day.

The call was made during the two-day National Stakeholders’ Convention on Democratic, Credible and Peaceful 2027 Elections, being held from September 2 to 3, 2026 at Ufungamano House in Nairobi.

The forum has brought together key actors in Kenya’s democratic and electoral space to assess the country’s preparedness for the next General Election, identify potential risks and develop measures to prevent disruptions before, during and after the electoral cycle.

Convened under the Kenya Religious Leaders Forum, the convention brings together the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB), Evangelical Alliance of Kenya (EAK), Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims (SUPKEM) and National Council of Churches in Kenya (NCCK).

The stakeholders say the country needs to move beyond periodic political discussions and establish a sustained national conversation capable of addressing concerns before they escalate into conflict.

Participants drawn from religious organisations, government, civil society, professionals and other sectors are expected to deliberate on the state of democratic institutions, electoral preparedness, civic participation, political engagement and mechanisms for maintaining peace.

Representing the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) chairperson at the meeting, Commissioner Dr Alutalala Mukhwana outlined the Commission’s preparedness for the 2027 polls and reaffirmed its commitment to delivering a credible, transparent and peaceful election.

Dr Mukhwana urged religious leaders and other stakeholders to play their respective roles in strengthening the electoral process while holding the electoral agency accountable.

He also called for dialogue as a critical tool in addressing emerging concerns and ensuring the country remains on a peaceful path towards the 2027 elections.

The appeal places religious institutions at the centre of efforts to promote peaceful political participation, given their extensive networks and influence at the grassroots level.

SUPKEM is among the organisations participating in the convention, with its delegation led by Secretary General Sheikh Abdullahi Salat and Head of Religious Affairs Sheikh Yusuf Maki.

The Council said its participation reflects its commitment to peaceful democratic engagement, national cohesion, responsible civic participation and credible electoral processes.

SUPKEM stressed the importance of creating an electoral environment in which all Kenyans can exercise their constitutional rights freely and peacefully, while faith communities contribute to protecting peace, justice and national unity.

The convention comes as political activity gradually intensifies ahead of the 2027 General Election, increasing the need for institutions and political actors to address potential sources of tension early.

Kenya’s electoral history has demonstrated the risks associated with contested elections, political mobilisation along social and ethnic lines, misinformation and mistrust of electoral institutions. Stakeholders at the Nairobi forum are therefore seeking to ensure that lessons from previous electoral cycles inform preparations for 2027.

Beyond the conduct of the elections themselves, the national conversation is also expected to examine broader governance and socio-economic concerns that can influence political stability.

Stakeholders have emphasised that public institutions must be accountable, responsive and guided by evidence and citizens’ experiences when making decisions that affect the country.

They have also called for leaders to listen to citizens and ensure recommendations arising from national consultations are translated into measurable action rather than remaining commitments contained in reports and conference resolutions.

The emphasis on practical solutions reflects growing concerns over the gap that can emerge between national dialogue and implementation.

The stakeholders argue that meaningful engagement should provide space for divergent views while encouraging participants to identify common ground on issues affecting Kenyans.

The religious leaders’ involvement is particularly significant because churches, mosques and other faith institutions are present across the country and can provide platforms for civic education, peacebuilding and reconciliation.

SUPKEM said it would continue working with fellow religious institutions and national stakeholders to support efforts aimed at ensuring democratic, credible and peaceful elections.

The Council also urged Kenyans to approach the electoral period with responsibility, respect for constitutional rights and commitment to national cohesion.

The two-day convention is expected to generate strategies, actions and commitments aimed at safeguarding the integrity of democratic outcomes before, during and after the 2027 electoral cycle.

Participants are also assessing the readiness of constitutional bodies with electoral and security mandates, while identifying risks that could undermine the credibility and peaceful conduct of the polls.

The process is intended to encourage collective responsibility, rather than leaving the burden of election management solely to the IEBC or security agencies.

As Kenya moves closer to the 2027 elections, stakeholders say peaceful polls will require cooperation between electoral institutions, security agencies, political parties, religious organisations, civil society, the media and citizens.

The Nairobi convention therefore presents an opportunity to shift the national conversation from reacting to electoral crises to preventing them through early engagement, accountability and dialogue.

With two years remaining before the polls, religious leaders and other stakeholders are urging Kenyans to use the available period to confront emerging challenges, strengthen institutions and build trust in the democratic process.

Their message is that a peaceful 2027 election will not be secured at the ballot box alone, but through sustained national efforts to protect democratic institutions, respect differing political views and ensure every Kenyan has confidence in the electoral process.