Uganda's ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party has cautioned its leaders and residents in Busia District against participating in Kenyan politics. With Kenya's next General Election scheduled for August 10, 2027, the NRM national treasurer, Barbra Nekesa Oundo, made the call during an economic mobilisation meeting at Masafu Town Council. Nekesa urged NRM leaders to focus on mobilising households to create wealth rather than engaging in political activities across the border.
The warning is significant given Busia District's strategic location along one of Uganda's busiest borders with Kenya. The local economy is closely linked to the movement of people and goods between the two countries. Nekesa emphasised that peace along the Uganda-Kenya border is crucial not only for the two neighbouring communities but also for trade and wider East African integration. She cited President Yoweri Museveni's emphasis on Pan-Africanism and regional integration, which requires peaceful relations among neighbouring countries and communities.
Busia District NRM chairman Isaac Muwanguzi noted that some residents in the border area possess national identification documents from both Uganda and Kenya. He urged party leaders to discourage residents from becoming involved in political campaigns across the border and instead focus on improving household incomes. This is particularly important as thousands of people and businesses depend on cross-border movement, with the border linking traders and families with communities in western Kenya.
For some residents, however, separating political activity from family and community relationships is challenging. Polycarp Wandera, the NRM chairperson for Muganiro Village, said he had previously considered campaigning in Busia, Kenya, for a candidate supported by relatives there. However, Nekesa's message encouraged him to focus on wealth creation within his own community. Similarly, Godfrey Ouma acknowledged that close social ties across the border make it difficult to prevent people from crossing into Kenya.
The NRM leaders stressed that maintaining peaceful relations along the border is vital for protecting the movement of people, goods, and businesses that sustain communities on both sides. This message extends beyond the 2027 Kenyan election, as it aims to ensure that political competition in one country does not disrupt the economic and social links that connect communities across the Uganda-Kenya border. The party's warning is a timely reminder of the importance of peaceful coexistence in the region.
Kenya is preparing for its fourth General Election under the 2010 Constitution, scheduled for August 10, 2027. The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has confirmed the poll date. As the election approaches, Uganda's NRM party is taking steps to ensure that its leaders and residents in border communities do not get involved in Kenyan politics, which could potentially disrupt cross-border trade and relations.
The NRM party's warning has been well-received by some residents, who believe that it is essential to maintain peaceful relations with neighbouring communities. By focusing on wealth creation and economic activities at home, residents can help to promote stability and prosperity in the region. As the 2027 Kenyan election draws near, the NRM party's message serves as a reminder of the importance of separating political activity from family and community relationships.
Key points
- The NRM party has warned its leaders and residents in Busia District against participating in Kenyan politics ahead of the 2027 General Election.
- The warning is significant given Busia District's strategic location along one of Uganda's busiest borders with Kenya.
- The NRM party's message aims to ensure that political competition in one country does not disrupt the economic and social links that connect communities across the Uganda-Kenya border.
