Religious Leaders Urged to Reject Illicit Funds Ahead of 2027 Elections

By Fride Amiani 

NAIROBI, September 3, 2026  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, undermine democratic processes and fuel corruption in government.

Speaking during the National Stakeholders’ Convention on Democratic, Credible and Peaceful 2027 Elections at Ufungamano House in Nairobi, Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) Chairperson Dr. David Oginde warned that the use of corrupt proceeds to finance political campaigns could create obligations that compromise governance once politicians assume office.

Oginde said politicians who finance their campaigns using proceeds of corruption, money laundering and unexplained wealth could later come under pressure to reward their financiers through inflated tenders, manipulated procurement processes and other corrupt deals.

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

He said the integrity of the 2027 electoral process would depend not only on institutions responsible for conducting and overseeing elections but also on citizens and community leaders who have an important role in shaping public attitudes towards political leadership.

Oginde said election campaigns should be driven by leadership, values and principles rather than the financial muscle of candidates. He warned that allowing wealth obtained through questionable means to influence elections could give an unfair advantage to candidates with access to illicit resources while disadvantaging those who rely on legitimate campaign financing.

The EACC chairperson further cautioned that the consequences of illicit political financing extend beyond election day.

He said politicians who depend on corrupt financing may feel obliged to facilitate the interests of their financiers once they are in office, potentially compromising public resources and governance.

The warning comes as stakeholders begin preparations for the 2027 General Election, with concerns over corruption, political competition, national cohesion and the credibility of electoral institutions expected to remain central to public debate.

Oginde called for greater vigilance among religious and other community leaders in safeguarding the integrity of the electoral process. He said leaders who command influence within communities have a responsibility to encourage citizens to scrutinise political candidates and reject practices that undermine democratic values.

At the same convention, 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 that protecting the independence of the NCIC was essential in preventing hate speech, ethnic incitement and politically motivated violence.

He called on Kenyans to report incidents that threaten peace and national unity, saying early intervention was critical in preventing disputes from escalating into conflict.

“Democratic space is rarely lost all at once; it slips away quietly, one compromise at a time, and the antidote is participation: we secure peace by showing up, asking the hard questions, and standing up for our country,” Nguyo said.

He said the protection of democratic space requires citizens to participate actively in public affairs and remain alert to actions that could threaten peace and national unity.

Nguyo also highlighted the NCIC’s continued engagement with political leaders and public officials to promote responsible leadership and issue-based politics ahead of the polls.

He said such engagement was important in encouraging political actors to focus on issues affecting Kenyans rather than rhetoric capable of deepening divisions within communities.

The convention brought together more than 150 religious leaders, electoral stakeholders and civil society representatives. It was organised 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 emphasised the need for stronger collaboration among institutions, political actors and citizens to protect democratic processes, strengthen public trust in electoral institutions and promote peaceful, credible and inclusive elections.

The stakeholders also focused on the responsibility of citizens and institutions to safeguard the electoral cycle from practices that could weaken public confidence in the outcome of elections.

The forum is developing strategies aimed at safeguarding the 2027 electoral cycle and strengthening cooperation among key stakeholders.

The organisers said the engagement provides a platform for religious leaders, civil society organisations, electoral stakeholders and other actors to discuss challenges facing the country and identify practical approaches to ensuring peaceful and credible elections.

With the 2027 elections approaching, stakeholders said sustained vigilance, responsible leadership, citizen participation and respect for democratic institutions would be crucial in protecting Kenya’s democratic space and preventing electoral disputes from escalating into conflict.

The discussions also underscored the need for Kenyans to reject corruption and divisive politics while demanding accountability from political leaders and public institutions.