Mbeere North Churches Launch Peace Campaign to Heal By-Election Divisions Ahead of 2027 Polls

By BRIAN MUSYOKA 

Led by New Life Pentecostal Church Bishop Godfrey Oburo, the church leaders said they will intensify peace efforts across the constituency, urging residents to reconcile, embrace dialogue and avoid allowing political differences to permanently divide their communities.

The initiative seeks to address tensions and differences witnessed during the by-election, with the church warning that unresolved political disagreements could deepen as politicians and their supporters begin positioning themselves for the next General Election.

Bishop Oburo said peace should begin with individuals and communities, urging residents to embrace dialogue whenever political differences arise rather than allowing disagreements to degenerate into hostility.

The church leaders said political contests are temporary, but the relationships among neighbours, friends and families are permanent, calling on residents to separate political competition from their day-to-day relationships.

Church leader Agnes Mwaniki urged residents not to hate one another because of political affiliations, noting that political candidacies are temporary while the people of Mbeere North will continue living together long after elections are over.

Mwaniki further cautioned residents against propaganda and inflammatory political messages that could fuel divisions as the country heads towards the 2027 General Election, urging voters to critically assess information before sharing it.

The church said it will continue traversing different parts of Embu County to preach peace and cohesion, with leaders maintaining that early intervention is key to preventing political differences from escalating during the electioneering period.

Evurore Ward MCA Duncan Muratia welcomed the initiative, saying the church has a critical role to play in helping residents heal from political divisions and fostering peaceful coexistence ahead of the next election.

Muratia called on both political leaders and residents to support the peace campaign while warning politicians against using young people to advance personal political interests or disrupt peace. He urged leaders to compete for votes peacefully and allow residents to make their political choices without intimidation or division.