Kenya: Murkomen Urges Village Elders to Reject Divisive Politics Ahead of 2027 Polls

What the report says

Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has called on village elders in Kenya to stay out of divisive politics and help preserve national unity as the country looks toward the next general election. According to Capital FM’s report republished by AllAfrica, he made the remarks during a meeting at State House in Nairobi between President William Ruto and elders drawn from across the country.

Murkomen said local leaders should resist politicians who try to inflame ethnic tensions at the grassroots and instead uphold constitutional values and community cohesion. He also urged elders to help shield young people from being drawn into criminal gangs or election-related intimidation and violence. The comments were framed around the need for impartial, trusted community leadership during the campaign period.

The same event also featured a set of government measures affecting village elders. President Ruto announced a monthly stipend of Sh3,000 for each elder, along with state-funded enrollment in the Social Health Authority programme. He also said elders would receive digital literacy training and communication devices. In addition, the government signaled plans to formalize the elders’ role through legislation.

Murkomen separately said the government was increasing funding for local administrators and had expanded security support for them. In broader context, village elders often play an informal but influential role in grassroots mediation and local coordination in Kenya, making their stance potentially important during election seasons.