ACK Archbishop Jackson Ole Sapit / HANDOUTArchbishop of the Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK) Jackson Ole Sapit has warned political leaders against using violence and loss of human life as a path to power ahead of the 2027 general election.
Sapit said politicians should stop mobilising crowds with the intention of creating chaos, urging them to emulate peaceful gatherings where people can participate without intimidation or hired groups.
The Archbishop spoke during a Thanksgiving celebration at the ACK Diocese of Southern Nyanza on September 13, where he also undertook a pastoral visit to several churches and witnessed progress in the growth of the church and its work in transforming communities.
He challenged politicians to change how they conduct their political gatherings, warning against bringing in people to cause disruptions or violence.
“My advice to the politician is whenever you gather, gather without carrying people whom you pay to heckle others or to create havoc as what we have seen yesterday,” Sapit said.
His remarks came a day after violence disrupted a United Democratic Alliance (UDA) meeting attended by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki at Nembure Stadium in Embu county.
The September 12, incident left one person dead, several others injured and six vehicles torched after clashes broke out between youths and police outside the meeting.
The National Police Service said officers intervened after a group attempted to storm the gathering, with several people arrested as investigations began.
Sapit also referred to violence witnessed in Homa Bay weeks earlier during the Linda Mwananchi political tour on August 16.
The incident saw clashes and attacks along routes used by the political convoy, with police later arresting 37 suspected gang members and recovering crude weapons including machetes, knives and metal rods.
The violence also left people dead and injured and resulted in damage to vehicles and other property.
“It is very unfortunate that in the quest for looking for leadership we want to make other people die and we step on the blood of people who are dying every day in our quest for leadership,” Sapit said.
He described the use of violence in the pursuit of political leadership as shameful, warning that the country should not enter an election period in which people are killed in the name of political competition.
“It is very, very shameful at this point in time that we will lead a country in the direction that we get into the quest for leadership by making others die on our names,” he said.
Sapit urged political leaders and Kenyans to take responsibility for protecting human life and the resources entrusted to them.
“Let us all be responsible, good stewards of humanity, good stewards of resources that God has given us,” he said.
The Archbishop further called for leadership guided by wisdom and a commitment to the wider interests of Kenyans rather than individual political ambitions.
He urged leaders to seek God’s guidance as they govern the country and pursue leadership, saying Kenya needs transformative leadership that places the interests of citizens at the centre.
“Let us all have the interest of the Kenyan people at heart and preserve life because God is interested in the preservation of life,” Sapit said.
He also called on the church and the wider public to be responsible stewards of the environment and public resources, including finances.
Sapit’s warning comes as political activity intensifies ahead of the 2027 general Election, with recent incidents in Embu and Homa Bay renewing concerns over the use of violence and organised groups during political gatherings.
