As Kenya heads towards the 2027 General Election, youth across the country are being mobilized to champion peace and responsible civic participation through a new initiative dubbed Peace Pulse.
The project seeks to empower young people through digital safety, civic education and early-warning systems to promote a peaceful environment before, during and after the elections.
The initiative is being implemented in 11 counties with support from the German Corporation.
Speaking in Kiambu Township, Program Manager Derrick Ouko said the initiative is prioritizing civic and political education while encouraging young people to reflect on past political experiences and help reshape narratives around youth participation in elections.
Ouko said stakeholders are also working to challenge the perception that young people are synonymous with political violence, calling for individuals involved in disruptive activities to be identified without stigmatizing the entire youth population.
He said the Kiambu meeting had established a framework for collaboration between the youth, security agencies and government institutions to promote peace and stability ahead of the 2027 elections.
Phoebe Njeri said the initiative seeks to mobilize young people in Kiambu County to take an active role in promoting peace and stability, rather than being used as instruments of political disruption.
She said the program will promote voter education, non-violence and individual responsibility in a bid to foster a secure and democratic electoral process.
The Church is also being brought into the peace initiative, having played a significant role in the previous election period. Pastor Shepherd Ephuntas Maina, participating in the initiative said the Church should not be held responsible for unfulfilled promises made by politicians who sought support from congregants.
He said the Church is engaging various groups to examine lessons from past elections and develop strategies to avoid similar challenges in 2027.
The Pastor said the Church now seeks to move from being a passive observer to a proactive guide by encouraging voters to carefully assess leaders and participate peacefully in the electoral process.
Meanwhile, Philip Olwaka, Co-Chair of the Kenya Coalition on Youth Peace and Security, said ongoing outreach and dialogue sessions with youth leaders across the country will help establish a nationwide network for peace.
He said the coalition is also working with government institutions, including the National Cohesion and Integration Commission, to support reconciliation and provide guidance in resolving community disputes.
At the same time, John Favor of Dunia Safi Movement said conflict prevention remains critical in addressing the underlying causes of electoral tensions before they escalate.
He said the initiative seeks to create an environment where young people can exercise their civic rights safely while security agencies carry out their duties without being exploited for political interests.
The stakeholders say building trust among young people, communities, government agencies and security actors will be key to ensuring peaceful civic engagement before, during and after the 2027 General Election.
