Religious Leaders Urged to Reject Illicit Funds Ahead of 2027 Elections

By Faith wanza mueni 

Photo:Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) Chairperson Dr. David Oginde

Religious leaders have been urged to reject and refrain from legitimising illicit funds ahead of the 2027 General Election, amid concerns that dirty money could distort voters’ choices and fuel corruption in government.

Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) Chairperson Dr. David Oginde warned that politicians who finance their campaigns using proceeds of corruption, money laundering and unexplained wealth could later be pressured to reward their financiers through inflated tenders, manipulated procurement and other corrupt practices.

“There is no way we are going to build a society of integrity if we are beneficiaries of illicit resources,” Oginde said.

He was speaking during the National Stakeholders’ Convention on Democratic, Credible and Peaceful 2027 Elections at Ufungamano House in Nairobi, where he addressed delegates on the role of illicit money in politics and its impact on democracy.

Oginde said election campaigns should be driven by leadership, values and principles rather than the financial muscle of candidates.

He cautioned that the use of illicit wealth in campaigns gives wealthy candidates an unfair advantage, while undermining voters’ ability to elect leaders based on merit, integrity and their ability to serve the public.

The EACC chairperson urged religious leaders and other influential actors in society to take a firm stand against illicit resources and avoid providing legitimacy to politicians whose wealth or campaign financing is questionable.

The convention has brought together more than 150 stakeholders to deliberate on measures aimed at safeguarding the 2027 electoral process and strengthening the role of citizens and institutions in promoting credible, peaceful and democratic elections.

The forum is being convened by the National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK), Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB), Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims (SUPKEM) and the Evangelical Alliance of Kenya.

Participants are discussing ways of strengthening collaboration among religious organisations, electoral stakeholders, civil society groups, political actors and citizens to protect democratic processes and public trust.

National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) Commissioner Joseph Nguyo urged Kenyans to remain vigilant and actively support efforts to safeguard national cohesion as the country prepares for the 2027 General Election and beyond.

Nguyo stressed the importance of protecting the independence of the NCIC in preventing hate speech, ethnic incitement and politically motivated violence.

He called on citizens to report incidents that threaten peace and national unity, noting that early intervention could help prevent disputes from escalating into conflict.

The commissioner also highlighted the Commission’s continued engagement with political leaders and public officials, aimed at promoting responsible leadership and issue-based politics ahead of the elections.

He urged Kenyans to play an active role in protecting the country’s democratic space rather than leaving the responsibility to institutions alone.

The stakeholders’ convention comes as preparations for the 2027 General Election continue, with participants emphasising the need for citizens to remain engaged and demand accountability from political leaders.

The discussions also underscored the importance of peaceful participation, credible electoral institutions and inclusive political processes in strengthening public confidence in elections.

Stakeholders warned that political competition driven by money, ethnic mobilisation, hate speech and violence could undermine national cohesion and weaken democratic institutions.

The participants called for stronger cooperation between institutions, religious leaders, political actors, civil society and the public to ensure that the electoral process remains peaceful, credible and inclusive.

They further emphasised the need for citizens to ask difficult questions about leadership, campaign financing and the conduct of political actors before, during and after the elections.

The convention reaffirmed that safeguarding democracy requires active participation by citizens and institutions.

Participants noted that democratic space is rarely lost all at once but can gradually erode through a series of compromises, making public participation and vigilance critical to protecting Kenya’s democratic gains.

As the country moves towards the 2027 polls, stakeholders called on Kenyans to actively participate in democratic processes, demand accountability and stand firm against practices that threaten peace, integrity and national cohesion.