National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) Commissioner, King’ori Nguyo, has urged youth to use online platforms to promote peace and national unity ahead of the 2027 General Election.

Nguyo asked young people, who form a significant proportion of Kenya’s internet users, to become peace ambassadors by using social media to pitch for tolerance, constructive political debate and peaceful coexistence among Kenyans.

The Commissioner wants the youth to spread messages of unity and remind Kenyans that differences in political opinion should not be a source of conflict.

“As a commission we want to challenge the youth to preach the message of peace and to let Kenyans know that we can coexist peacefully despite our divergent political views on religion, politics and any other social issues,” said Nguyo.

Nguyo who spoke at Ihururu Stadium in Nyeri has said that the NCIC has intensified efforts to promote peace and cohesion as the country prepares for the 2027 General Election following concerns raised by the Kofi Annan Foundation that the country had an 84.1 per cent chance of experiencing electoral violence.

The report titled Electoral Vulnerability Index 2026–2027 was released in July this year. It identified lack of trust in the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission procurement and result transmission process, economic grievances, police conduct and political mobilization along ethnic lines as some of the key drivers of conflict.

Analysists noted that although the country performed relatively well on indicators such as freedom of expression, the rule of law and physical security compared to other countries in the continent, the country is still vulnerable to election-related disputes due to its history of contested elections and the continued risk of political tensions that could escalate into actual violence.

The report further noted that the political environment since the last general election in 2022 has been marked by economic hardship, tax protests, opposition mobilisation and debates over the cost of living and public anger over corruption and police conduct further increasing the country’s vulnerability to violent polls.

“The 2027 election could combine conventional presidential competition with broader demands for accountability, potentially increasing pressure on political institutions and the electoral process. Similarly, youth-led protests and civic activism have shown that grievances can mobilise beyond traditional party structures,” says the report.

Nguyo, however, said that the report should serve as a wake-up call for Kenyans to safeguard the peace and avoid a repeat of the 2007–2008 post-election violence, which resulted in loss of lives, displacement and destruction of property.

He said that the commission is working to address the concerns raised by the foundation and prevent the country from degenerating into violence.

Nguyo also challenged political leaders to conduct their campaigns peacefully, noting that Kenya’s democratic system allows citizens to support different political parties and promote competing ideologies.

The integration commissioner said political competition should not be laced with insults, intimidation or attempts to force citizens to subscribe to particular political positions.

He urged political leaders to prioritise national cohesion and demonstrate responsibility in their public statements and interactions with supporters.

Nguyo said that political disagreements should not destroy relationships among citizens, adding that Kenyans will still need to live together as neighbours and members of the same communities after the 2027 elections.

“Kenya is a democracy and everyone is welcome to express their political views and to join whatever political faction and to popularize their ideologies and manifestos as they please. But we are asking them to do so without insulting each other, without forcing citizens to support them because after the election, we shall go back to our normal lives,” he said.

By Wangari Mwangi