NAKURU, Kenya Apr 3 – Church leaders and members of the business community in Nakuru have issued a strong warning to the youth against being exploited to cause chaos during the forthcoming electioneering period.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The leaders expressed concern that while many young people are pushing for change in the country, a section is being manipulated and paid to fuel violence, undermining democratic processes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Speaking at Remnants Ministries International Church in Free Area after a peace march along Oginga Odinga Road, the leaders emphasized the need for calm and tolerance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
They noted that Nakuru, often described as Kenya\u2019s political heartbeat and a symbol of coexistence, should set the pace for peaceful campaigns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bishop Sammy Gitonga cautioned politicians against using inflammatory rhetoric, warning that such language could incite anger and trigger conflict.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cLeaders have to present themselves in diplomacy, in decorum and in ways that truly represent who they say they are,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gitonga urged political leaders to avoid divisive and harmful language, questioning the legacy they intend to leave behind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat moral legacy do these politicians want to leave? What are they showing their successors?\u201d he posed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He further challenged religious leaders to take a more active role in shaping ethical leadership, stressing that leadership should go beyond the pursuit of power to include service and inspiration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gitonga outlined different levels of leadership, distinguishing between politics as a contest for power and leadership as a tool for empowering society.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He added that governance requires sound policy formulation and implementation, while higher levels of leadership demand moral and ethical guidance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Community leader Lucy Macharia echoed the call for restraint, urging politicians to avoid public insults that could breed hatred among communities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She encouraged voters to elect visionary leaders who prioritize vulnerable groups, including widows, orphans, persons living with disabilities, and single mothers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Businesswoman Roseline Chemutai raised concerns over insecurity in Nakuru\u2019s central business district, calling on leaders to support security agencies in combating crime.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She also urged young people to actively participate in the electoral process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cRegistering as voters is a great move\u2026 however, the youth must ensure they use their cards when the general elections come,\u201d she said, referencing the ongoing Niko Kadi<\/em> voter registration drive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The leaders collectively warned that exploiting youth for political violence not only endangers lives but also undermines the integrity of elections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n They called for a united effort among politicians, religious institutions, and the public to safeguard peace and uphold democratic values ahead of the polls.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The leaders expressed concern that while many young people are pushing for change in the country, a section is being manipulated and paid to fuel violence, undermining democratic processes.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12320,"featured_media":798239,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1,4625,26],"tags":[52521,1981,491,52524,52520,52518,52519,52523,52525,52526,52522,50346],"coauthors":[407],"class_list":["post-798237","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-kenya","category-national-news","category-top-stories","tag-church-leaders-peace-campaign-kenya","tag-featured","tag-kenya","tag-kenya-election-security-concerns","tag-kenya-youth-election-violence","tag-nakuru-election-violence-warning","tag-nakuru-politics-peace-call","tag-niko-kadi-campaign-kenya","tag-peaceful-elections-kenya","tag-political-rhetoric-kenya","tag-sammy-gitonga-bishop-nakuru","tag-youth-voter-registration-kenya"],"yoast_head":"\n