NAESI launches nationwide peace campaign ahead of 2027 elections

Story by Maurice Momanyi

The National Elections Support Initiative (NAESI) and more than 150 partner organisations have reaffirmed their commitment to promoting peace, national unity and prosperity as Kenya prepares for the 2027 General Election.

The organisations, drawn from the public benefit organisation sector, faith-based organisations, private sector, youth and women networks, Council of Elders, media and county PBO forums, made the commitment in Nairobi on September 27, 2026.

They said Kenya was approaching a critical period as the country prepares for the campaign season and the General Election scheduled for August 10, 2027.

In a statement signed by NAESI National Coordinator Stephen K. Cheboi, the partners said maintaining peace should be a collective responsibility of every Kenyan.

“We, the National Elections Support Initiative (NAESI) and partners reaffirm our unwavering commitment to the peace, unity and prosperity of our beloved nation, Kenya,” the organisations said.

The partners pledged to promote peace at community level while rejecting hate speech, incitement and political violence.

They also committed to working with institutions including the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC), Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP), Judiciary and security agencies in support of free, fair, credible and peaceful elections.

The organisations further called for national dialogue, tolerance and coexistence among Kenyans regardless of their communities, political affiliations or religious backgrounds.

On economic development, the partners said they would champion the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) and the country’s long-term development blueprint, with the objective of ensuring that development benefits all Kenyans.

Peace walks planned across 47 counties

As part of the initiative, NAESI said it would roll out a nationwide peace awareness campaign involving peace walks across Kenya’s 47 counties.

According to the statement, the NAESI National Peace Awareness Walks are scheduled to begin in Eldoret on October 17, 2026, and culminate in Nairobi on August 7, 2027, shortly before the General Election.

The campaign is expected to bring together citizens and organisations in a citizen-driven movement aimed at promoting peaceful elections and discouraging political violence.

NAESI called on political leaders, election aspirants, citizens, civil society organisations and development partners to put national interests ahead of political competition.

“Kenya First – Peace First,” the organisations said, urging Kenyans to protect the country’s stability throughout the electoral period.

The partners concluded with a reminder that political contests are temporary while the nation remains permanent.

“Elections come and go, but Kenya remains. No office is worth the blood of a Kenyan,” they said.

Cheboi signed the statement on behalf of NAESI and its partners and identified himself as the convener of the National Peace Campaign 2026-2027.

The initiative comes less than a year before the August 2027 General Election, with political activity expected to intensify as parties and prospective candidates prepare for the electoral contest.