The Echo Network Africa Foundation (ENAF) has warned that Kenya must act early to prevent tension from escalating into conflict ahead of the 2027 General Election. ENAF President and CEO Jennifer Riria stated that peace actors, security agencies, government institutions, and communities must identify and address emerging tensions before they escalate. This call was made during the International Day of Peace 2026 celebrations at Prestige Plaza in Nairobi.
According to Riria, local communities are critical in preventing conflict because they are often the first to detect signs of tension. She emphasized that peace is not something that can be inherited automatically, but rather it must be chosen, protected, and invested in by every generation. The event brought together peace actors, the National Steering Committee on Peacebuilding and Conflict Management, the National Police Service, the National Cohesion and Integration Commission, and civil society organisations.
Through its Tuvuke Initiative, ENAF has reached nearly 16,000 people across five counties this year and trained 52 Women Peace Champions to identify emerging tensions, facilitate dialogue, and link affected community members to support services. The initiative utilizes grassroots structures, including WhatsApp groups, local safe desks, Nyumba Kumi elders, and the 1195 gender-based violence hotline, to strengthen community responses to conflict and protection concerns.
ENAF has also expanded its peacebuilding efforts to boda boda operators, urging them to resist political manipulation and support peace efforts in their communities. During the event, peace actors, including boda boda riders, signed the Tuvuke Initiative Peace Charter, committing themselves to respect the rule of law, protect women and girls, and serve as peace ambassadors.
The foundation called for stronger institutional support for community peace actors, particularly women working on the frontline, and urged authorities and security agencies to establish reliable 24-hour communication lines for Women Peace Champions responding to emergencies. Riria also cautioned the public against sharing unverified videos, voice notes, and other content that could fuel tensions, urging social media users to verify information before forwarding it.
ENAF also launched the ‘Dear Kenya Peace Campaign’ and signed a Commitment to Peace pledge to promote social cohesion ahead of the elections. The campaign aims to promote peace and stability in the country by encouraging citizens to take an active role in promoting peace and preventing conflict.
Key stakeholders, including peace actors and community leaders, emphasized the importance of grassroots peacebuilding and community-led interventions in preventing conflict ahead of the 2027 General Election. They also stressed the need for stronger institutional support for community peace actors and the establishment of reliable communication lines for Women Peace Champions responding to emergencies.
Key points
- Jennifer Riria emphasized that local communities are critical in preventing conflict.
- ENAF's Tuvuke Initiative has reached nearly 16,000 people across five counties this year.
- The foundation called for stronger institutional support for community peace actors.
