Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika has called for proactive interventions to prevent political and ethnic tensions from escalating into violence ahead of the 2027 General Election.

Speaking during the International Day of Peace celebrations at Nyayo Gardens in Nakuru City, Governor Kihika urged peace actors and law enforcement agencies to act firmly against individuals who exploit ethnic identities to divide Kenyans.

The governor urged the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) to investigate politicians who use their communities to fuel division and ensure those found culpable face the law without fear or favor.

“We can disagree, but we must not dress hate as courage and disunity as patriotism,” said Kihika.

She highlighted that Nakuru County’s diversity should be a source of strength, not a tool for political mobilization and division.

“We must act early whenever we see signs of hatred, incitement, or ethnic tensions before they escalate into violence,” she emphasized.

Governor Kihika noted that sustainable peace cannot be separated from inclusive socio-economic development.

She cited county investments in healthcare, free Vocational Training Centre (VTC) tuition, the fortified Uji feeding program, agricultural value addition, and modern markets as key interventions aimed at building social cohesion.

The governor reaffirmed that her administration is building a county where everyone feels at home.

She said that when people have access to healthcare, education, food, economic opportunities, and dignified places to conduct their businesses, that strengthens their sense of belonging and reduces the vulnerabilities that can be exploited to divide communities.

Echoing the call for early warning mechanisms, NCIC Commissioner Joseph Nguyo emphasized that peacebuilding requires sustained collaboration across government institutions, political leaders, religious organizations, and civil society.

“Peace cannot be left to chance or addressed only when violence has already erupted,” stated Nguyo.

He noted that it is important to identify early warning signs, address grievances, counter hate speech, and bring communities together through dialogue before tensions escalate.

Nguyo cautioned political leaders against reckless rhetoric, urging them to exercise responsibility in their public statements and avoid rhetoric that could deepen ethnic divisions, emphasizing that political competition must not undermine peaceful coexistence.

The Commissioner said NCIC would continue working with national and county governments, communities, and other stakeholders to promote national cohesion, counter discrimination, and strengthen mechanisms for preventing conflict.

Nakuru’s selection to host the national celebrations carries significant symbolic weight given its history of political and ethnic tensions, particularly during the 2007–2008 post-election violence.

The subsequent Nakuru County Peace Accord established key priorities, including rapid responses to early warnings of conflict, prevention of incitement to violence, community confidence-building, and stronger cooperation between communities, security agencies, and local leadership.

Kihika said the lessons from the county’s past should continue to guide efforts to protect peace and ensure that political competition does not reverse gains made in reconciliation and development.

She urged residents to reject messages that seek to portray other communities as enemies and instead focus on issues that unite Kenyans.

The event was held under the 2026 global International Day of Peace theme, “Investing in Peace: For Everyone, Everywhere, Every Day,” which calls for peacebuilding through everyday actions, inclusive governance, dialogue, and respect for human dignity.

The United Nations established the International Day of Peace in 1981, while in 2001 the General Assembly unanimously adopted a resolution fixing September 21 as the permanent date and designating the day as a period of global ceasefire and non-violence.

Reaffirming her administration’s commitment to continuous engagement, Governor Kihika assured residents that the county government would continue partnering with security agencies and peace actors to maintain law and order, stressing that no development progress can be sustained without absolute peace.

By Caroline Nyakio and Jane Ngugi