Peace stakeholders have been urged to strengthen grassroots peacebuilding and act early to prevent conflicts as Kenya prepares for the 2027 general election.
Echo Network Africa Foundation (ENAF) President and CEO Dr. Jennifer Riria said peace actors, security agencies, government institutions and communities must shift from reacting to conflicts after they erupt to identifying and addressing tensions before they escalate.
Speaking during the International Day of Peace 2026 celebrations at Prestige Plaza in Nairobi, Dr. Riria said peace required deliberate investment and participation at all levels of society.
The event was held under the global theme, “Invest in Peace: For Everyone, Everywhere, Every Day,” and brought together peace actors, the National Steering Committee on Peacebuilding and Conflict Management, the National Police Service, the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) and civil society organisations.
“Peace is not something we inherit automatically. Every generation must choose it, protect it and invest in it,” Dr. Riria said.
Further, she called for stronger community-led approaches to peacebuilding, particularly as the country approaches the 2027 elections, saying local communities are critical in identifying emerging tensions and preventing conflicts.
Through its Tuvuke Initiative, she revealed that ENAF had reached nearly 16,000 people across five counties this year while training 52 Women Peace Champions to identify emerging tensions, facilitate dialogue and link affected community members to appropriate support.
The initiative uses grassroots structures and communication networks, including WhatsApp groups, local safe desks, Nyumba Kumi elders and the 1195 gender-based violence hotline, to strengthen community response to conflicts and protection concerns.
The Women Peace Champions also help mediate local disputes, identify protection needs and refer survivors to relevant services.
ENAF has further expanded its peacebuilding efforts by working with boda boda operators, who have been encouraged to resist political manipulation and support efforts to maintain peace within their communities.
During the Nairobi event, peace actors, including boda boda riders, signed the Tuvuke Initiative Peace Charter, committing themselves to respecting the rule of law, protecting women and girls and serving as peace ambassadors in their communities.
The foundation also called for stronger institutional support for community peace actors, particularly women working on the frontline.
ENAF urged local authorities and security agencies to establish direct, reliable 24-hour communication lines for Women Peace Champions to enable them to quickly seek assistance when responding to emergencies.
Dr. Riria also cautioned members of the public, especially young people and boda boda riders, against sharing unverified information that could fuel tensions.
She urged social media users to verify videos, voice notes and other content before forwarding them through WhatsApp and other digital platforms.
In addition, she said that access to accurate information and responsible use of digital platforms would be important in preventing the spread of inflammatory content during the election period.
The foundation also joined other leaders in launching the “Dear Kenya Peace Campaign” and signing a Commitment to Peace pledge as part of efforts to promote inclusive peacebuilding and social cohesion.
