Religious Leaders Warn Kenyans of Violence, Vote Buying and Misinformation Ahead of 2027 General Elections

By Gedion Nzyoki - 

Nairobi, Kenya | September 4, 2026 — Religious leaders have warned Kenyans of rising political violence, vote buying and misinformation ahead of the 2027 General Election, urging citizens and institutions to take urgent steps to protect the electoral process.

Religious leaders led by NCCK Chairperson Rev. Dr Elias Agola address journalists during a joint press briefing at Ufungamano House in Nairobi on September 4, 2026, following a two-day National Stakeholders Convention on the 2027 General Election. Photo: NCCK Press Unit 

Speaking during a joint press briefing on Thursday afternoon following a two-day National Stakeholders Convention held at Ufungamano House, Nairobi, from September 2 to 3, 2026, the religious leaders raised concern over growing anxiety and political tension in the country ahead of the 2027 General Election.

The leaders warned that Kenya risks repeating the painful history of previous election cycles, particularly the 1997, 2007 and 2017 polls, which were marred by violence, loss of lives, destruction of property and disruption of livelihoods.

"Anxiety and tension are rising exponentially due to fear of violence normally associated with incumbency elections. This fear is built on the experience of 1997, 2007 and 2017 polls where incumbents were re-elected in a context of bloodshed, loss of lives and destruction of livelihoods," Dr Elias Agola said.

Political Violence and Youth Exploitation

The religious leaders identified political violence, goonism, human rights violations and the exploitation of young people as some of the major risks facing the 2027 elections.

They criticised what they described as the normalisation of violence and alleged state-sponsored goonism, arguing that selective policing has blurred the distinction between political gangs and security agencies.

“The tragic normalization of violence and state-sponsored goonism is a danger only comparable to the man who feeds a baby lion never realizing that when it grows up it will eat him,” he added.

Religious Institutions Warned Against Political Capture

The convention also raised concerns over what the leaders termed institutional capture, abuse of state power and the co-option of faith institutions.

The religious leaders criticised political donations to churches and mosques, arguing that such contributions could compromise the independence and moral authority of religious institutions.

“Considering the despair in the hearts of Kenyans due to the perceived state capture of the Police, the Judiciary, the Parliament and the constitutional bodies, it will be a grave sin if religious leaders allow themselves to be captured by politicians through donations,” Agola stated.

Leaders Raise Alarm Over Monetisation of Politics

The leaders further described the monetisation of Kenyan politics as having reached a crisis point, warning that money is increasingly influencing candidate selection, political competition, election outcomes and government decisions.

They argued that Kenya risks moving from democracy towards plutocracy.

“Kenya is progressively transitioning from democracy to plutocracy, which is a government of the rich, by the rich, for the rich as they exploit the poor.”

Kenyans Urged to Reject Election Bribery

The leaders also urged Kenyans to reject election bribery, arguing that money distributed by politicians during campaigns can ultimately be recovered through government contracts and other forms of exploitation of public resources.

“It is time for Kenyan citizens to wake up and say NO to election bribery so as to end illicit political financing,” the leaders stated.

Religious Leaders Call for Collective Action

With the 2027 General Election about 11 months away, the religious leaders called for collective action to safeguard the electoral process and build what they described as a better Kenya.

They stressed that responsibility for the country's future cannot be left to political leaders and state institutions alone, urging every Kenyan to play a role in protecting the country's democratic process.

“Building a better nation is the responsibility of every Kenyan, recognizing that each must play a role for the good of all,” the leaders said.

The briefing was led by National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK) Chairperson Rev. Dr Elias Agola and attended by Rt. Rev. Simon Peter Kamomoe of the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB), Bishop Dr Calisto Odede of the Evangelical Alliance of Kenya (EAK), and Sheikh Abdullah Salat of the Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims (SUPKEM).